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Official dive-spot page with location, depth, current, and experience guidance.
Dive Spot Guide•
Banco João Lopes
Offshore Santa Maria bank with current and rich fish life.
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Boat dive from Anjos; plan for current, open water, and a reef profile that suits confident divers.
About Banco João Lopes
Banco João Lopes is an offshore volcanic bank off Santa Maria's north coast, reached by boat from Anjos. The reef top gives structure quickly before dropping into deeper water, so it suits confident divers and underwater photography when the sea is settled. Currents can build, and the bank is known for wrasses, salema porgies, blacktail combers, and larger reef fish.
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Research Estimate At Banco João Lopes
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 20m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesBasic facilities
CurrentStrong current
Where Is Banco João Lopes?
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Community sourced coordinates.
Banco João Lopes Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
14m - 40m
Depth Note
Reef top around 14 m with the seafloor dropping to about 40 m.
Typical Conditions
Offshore reef, moderate to strong current, and open-water exposure. Plan for a confident boat dive rather than a casual stop.
Safety & Access At Banco João Lopes
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Strong current
Safety Notes
Currents can be moderate to strong, particularly due to the offshore location.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only; plan around current windows and open-sea conditions.
Legal Notes
Treat it as an offshore dive and follow skipper guidance plus any local marine-traffic or protected-area rules.
Local Intel For Banco João Lopes
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Depth ranges from roughly 14 m on top of the reef down to around 40 m.
Freediving
Only for very experienced freedivers; the offshore profile and current make it a poor casual freedive site.
Snorkeling
Not a practical snorkel site; the useful structure sits too deep and too far offshore for casual surface use.
Wildlife at Banco João Lopes
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Banco João Lopes
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Banco João Lopes
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility20m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
