Official Azores dive spot page.
Offshore Azores seamount for big animals and strong current.
Offshore Azores seamount for big animals and strong current.
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Boat-only offshore dive with local operator support.
Banco Dollabarat is an offshore seamount dive in the Formigas/Dollabarat marine-reserve area of the Azores. It is a boat day built around open-ocean current, blue-water pelagics, and a shallow seamount top that quickly falls away into deeper water. Divers come here for large groupers, tuna, wahoo, and the chance of manta rays or sharks, with cetaceans and seabirds often part of the ride out. It is not a beginner site; the long approach, current, and offshore exposure reward experienced divers who are comfortable planning around changing conditions.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
5m - 50m
Depth Note
Shallow top around 5 m, then ravines at 8-10 m and quick drop-offs to 20-30 m before deeper water.
Best Season
May to October.
Typical Conditions
Blue-water seamount diving with a shallow top, steep drop-offs, and current-driven movement.
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Safety Notes
Experienced divers only; the offshore run and current call for disciplined planning.
Access Restrictions
Experienced divers only. Long offshore boat run required.
Legal Notes
Formigas and Dollabarat are marine reserves, so fishing is prohibited.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Dive can begin in shallow water around 5 m, with pelagic action driven by upwelling.
Freediving
Not a freedive-focused site; it is a boat scuba seamount.
Snorkeling
Only calm, supported snorkeling is plausible here; scuba is the standard way to visit.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Official Azores dive spot page.
Independent Santa Maria dive-spot page covering the Formigas/Dollabarat area.
Operator page with offshore diving context and visibility.
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