Princess Alice Bank

Located southwest of the island of Pico, Princess Alice Bank is a submerged seamount that became the most famous dive site in the Azores. What attracts divers to this area: the dozens of mobula rays that gather here. Barracudas, triggerfish, swordfish, bonitos, stingrays, and monkfish are also frequent visitors. Luckier ones may even spot whale sharks and manta rays. Although this dive site is accessible only to advanced divers, mobulas sometimes come very close to the surface which makes snorkeling a good alternative.

Ponta da Cozinha

Ponta da Cozinha is located on the east side of the Vila Franca do Campo Islet, near São Miguel Island. The islet is a protected area teeming with life. This particular dive site is full of fish of all sorts – peacock wrasses, parrotfish, octopuses, chromis, black-tailed perches, white trevallies, moray eels, dusky groupers, Almaco jacks, bluefish, rays, among others. Ponta da Cozinha features magnificent walls, rock formations, and passages. Diving here is really fun!

Baixa do Ambrosio

Another iconic dive spot in the Azores is Baixa do Ambrosio, situated near Santa Maria Island. It has an incredibly diverse and abundant marine life. The large groups of devil rays are what draw divers her, but you can also spot schools of Almaco jacks, yellowmouth barracudas, wahoo, tuna, and bluefish. If you’re lucky, you may even spot an oceanic sunfish here. Experienced divers can descend to greater depths to observe the manta rays.

Baixa da Maia

This small islet is located near Santa Maria Island and offers the perfect conditions for schools of pelagic fish. And since it’s located in a protected area, it has some of the healthiest reefs and abundant animal life. Yellow-mouth barracudas, Almaco jacks, white trevallies, and numerous species of nudibranchs are just some of the creatures you’ll come close to here.