whc.unesco.org · Official Tourism
UNESCO tentative-list page describing the Condor Bank seamount ecosystem and pelagic diving use.
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A licensed shark-diving operator is required for the offshore run and shark setup.
Condor Bank is a remote Azores blue-shark bank, with the dive run as a shallow drift over open ocean rather than a deep drop. Blue sharks are the main draw, with mako and occasional hammerhead sightings as rare bonuses when the sea and the animals line up. It is a specialist offshore shark trip, not a normal reef day.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
0m - 15m
Depth Note
The shark run stays shallow over the bank and should not exceed 15m.
Best Season
July to September
Typical Conditions
Open-ocean drift diving with a working depth around 15m and clear-water shark interaction on good days.
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Safety Notes
Stay tight with the boat briefing, use the shark protocol exactly as briefed, and keep the dive shallow and controlled.
Access Restrictions
Boat-only and weather-dependent from the Azores ports.
Legal Notes
Use a licensed shark-diving operator and follow the local wildlife-interaction rules.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Offshore drift dive with blue sharks near the boat and a shallow working depth over the bank.
Freediving
Not a freedive target; the site is organized around boat-based shark trips.
Snorkeling
This is not a casual snorkel site, even though some Azores operators run separate surface programs in the region.
Use the planner to scan this week, inspect today in local time, and understand how exposure shapes conditions at Condor Bank.
Directional shelter context for incoming swell.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
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Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
UNESCO tentative-list page describing the Condor Bank seamount ecosystem and pelagic diving use.
Directory page with depth, visibility, and recommended season for Condor Bank.
Dive-center page describing Condor Bank as a blue-shark destination in the Azores.
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