Portugal
Diving in Azores
Photo: Leonardo Lamas / Pexels
The Azores are the Maldives of the Atlantic — 9 volcanic islands in the middle of the ocean, where mantas glide over underwater volcanoes, sunfish drift through crystalline blue, and the world's most dramatic seamounts wait just beyond the coral reefs. With the world's largest Marine Protected Area in the North Atlantic covering 30% of its waters, the Azores offer uncompromised diving at its most primal.
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Places on this map (19)
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Conditions
14–25 °C
15–40 m
5–60 m
Moderate
June–October (warm water, peak manta season Jul–Oct)
| Month | Summary |
|---|---|
| Jan | Blue sharks and whales can be seen, with moderate visibility. Winter diving for the hardcore. |
| Feb | Similar to January, with chances to spot blue and mako sharks, and nurse sharks. |
| Mar | Blue sharks and migrating whales are present, with good visibility. |
| Apr | Nudibranchs peak, sunfish appear, and plankton blooms attract whales and dolphins. |
| May | Nudibranchs continue, manta rays start to appear, and stingrays gather. |
| Jun | Peak manta ray season begins, with eagle rays and barracuda also present. Good to excellent visibility. |
| Jul | Peak manta ray season continues, with sunfish, rare whale sharks, and mobulas. Excellent visibility and warm water. |
| Aug | Peak manta ray season with highest visibility and whales. Excellent conditions. |
| Sep | Peak manta ray season continues, with sunfish and turtles still present. Excellent visibility. |
| Oct | Manta rays taper off, but conditions remain excellent with tunas present. |
| Nov | Blue sharks and rays begin to be more common, with moderate visibility. |
| Dec | Blue sharks and whales are present, with rays. Moderate visibility. |
Dive Sites (80)
Amora
10–18m · Intermediate
Reef · Arches
Âncoras do Ilhéu
10–25m · Beginner
Walls · Caves · Islet
Arcadas de São Roque
20–30m · Intermediate
Arches · Black corals
Arcadas de São Roque (II)
20–30m · Intermediate
Arches · Black corals
Arcadas do Judeu
22–32m · Intermediate
Arches · Volcanic formations
Arcos da Caloura
20–35m · Advanced
Arches · Seamount
Baía de Entre Montes
10–25m · Beginner
Bay · Sheltered
Baixa da Ponta do Marco (Marco Tip Reef)
10–25m · Intermediate
Reef
Marine Life (96)
must-seeGreen Sea Turtle
must-seeHawksbill Turtle
must-seeLoggerhead Turtle
must-seeAtlantic Bottlenose Dolphin
must-seeCory's Shearwater
must-seeDeep-sea Anglerfish
must-seeHumpback Anglerfish
Short-snouted Seahorse
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark
Spiny Butterfly Ray
Crested Oarfish
Black Scabbardfish
Dive Shops (19)
Best Spot Azores - SSI & PADI Dive Center
Dive Center Azores Sub Centro de Mergulho e Loja
Season Challenge Azores PADI 5* IDC Dive Resort
Octopus Diving Center
Deep Blue Azores
Dive Azores . Whale Project Azores
Wahoo Diving
Espírito Azul Dive Center - Dive in Azores Islands
Mantamaria Divecenter
Qmann Diving dive center Azores
Haliotis Dive Center Faial
Azoresdiving/Açordiving SSI/Mares Dive Center
Twin Peaks Diving Centre
Divers Club Azores
Scubazores divers -dive center
Haliotis Dive Center Santa Maria
AZZURRO - Dive Academy | Azores, Dive School, Dive Center, Dive Professional Courses
São Jorge Dive & Sail Center
Sea Riders Dive Center
Guides
Top 7 Dive Sites in the Azores: A Beginner's Guide
Diving with 1,000+ mobula rays and sharks in the Azores. Compare the best dive sites from Princesa Alice Bank to Vila Franca and choose your skill level.
The Complete Azores Diving Guide: Sites & Species
Swim with 1,000+ mobula rays, sharks, and mantas in the Azores — Europe's premier pelagic diving destination. Complete guide to the Azores.
Azores Dive Conditions: Temperature, Visibility & Seasons
Water 16–25 °C, visibility to 40 m, and open-ocean currents. Temperature, visibility, and season guide for diving the Azores archipelago.
Safety
Bring Azores underwater
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