An archipelago in the North Atlantic, benefiting from the food-rich currents from the north and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, the Azores have a very large number of marine species. The presence of this unique aquatic biodiversity is a delight for adventurers wishing to explore the seabed. Diving along the coast, near seamounts or in caves, there are a thousand things to see under the sea, rocks, flora, the remains of galleons or a wreck from the Second World War and, of course, the varied and numerous fauna that animates the ocean. Meet us under the sea for beautiful encounters.
An environment and underwater life that are conducive to great diving sessions
In the Azores, it is possible to dive in all the islands of the archipelago. What they have in common is the presence of an abundance of marine life, including nearly 600 species of fish, 24 species of cetaceans, including large schools of pelagic fish, mantises, sharks and other groupers. During an underwater session close to the shore, you can see the different kinds of coloured fish, king and peacock wrasse, yellow castanets and parrotfish, schools of triggerfish that do not hesitate to approach, and discreet moray eels that hide between the rocks. It is also necessary to remain attentive to see at any moment a turtle, a sunfish, a jamanta and a school of Mediterranean barracudas.
As you move away from the coast, the Azores reveal what makes a scuba diving session in the archipelago unique: the seamounts. These are elevations of land that rise up from the abyssal floor, reaching only a few metres from the surface of the sea. The seamounts accessible for diving, such as the Princesa Alice Bank, the Formigas Islets and the Dollabarat Bank, are populated by a marine ecosystem that includes large schools of pelagic fish, large liches and thousands of bonito. This is also where you are more likely to come across a few species of cetaceans along the way.
When to dive in the Azores?
The Azores have a temperate climate all year round, with average temperatures ranging from 16 to 26°C in summer. Due to the presence of the Gulf Stream, the water temperature varies only a few degrees, from 16°C in winter to 22°C in summer. Both the atmosphere and the ocean temperature can experience some heat spikes, with 28-30°C in the air and 24-25°C in the water. The visibility of the water changes depending on the amount of food present. Thus, spring is the period when the water is the most turbid. Considering all these elements, the period of the year that presents the most favorable conditions for diving is between June and October, the summer.
Among the most beautiful diving spots in the Azores is Amora in São Miguel, where you can see blackback porpoises, oldsmelt and girelles. In the seaside area of Pocinho, you have the chance to observe the fauna while slaloming between superb rocky arches which serve as shelters for several species. In the bay of Entre Montes, in Faial, the area is ideal for observing octopus, moray eels and colourful jewel anemones, both while diving and snorkelling. In this area, the cracks and holes in the rock formation are the other underwater elements that catch the eye and arouse curiosity.
