azoreschoice.com · Travel Guide
Dive Spot Guide•
Princesa Alice
Remote pelagic seamount with iconic blue-water encounters.
Make this a real next stop
Save it, log a dive, or explore nearby on the map.
Save it to come back later
Local operator required
The site is a long offshore run and is normally dived only as a guided boat trip from Pico or Faial.
A long offshore boat day from Pico or Faial, usually dived on a descent line when weather, swell, and current all line up.
About Princesa Alice
Princesa Alice is a remote offshore seamount southwest of Pico and Faial, known for blue-water pelagic encounters rather than sheltered reef diving. Divers usually spend the dive around the descent line watching mobula rays, manta rays, schooling jacks, tuna, barracuda, groupers, wrasses, and occasional sharks move through the bank. This is a serious boat dive for experienced divers, with a long open-ocean crossing, little shelter once offshore, and conditions that can change quickly with swell and current. When the sea settles, the site is prized for clear water and dramatic surface activity as pelagics often hold high in the water column.
•
Research Estimate At Princesa Alice
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 20m
AccessDifficult access
Aquatic LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
CurrentStrong current
Where Is Princesa Alice?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Princesa Alice Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
35m - 60m
Depth Note
Public dive guides describe the bank as rising from deep oceanic water to a summit around 35 m, with recreational profiles commonly extending deeper along the bank to about 60 m.
Best Season
Summer is the core season, especially July to September, when offshore weather windows are more dependable and pelagic trips run most often.
Typical Conditions
Expect open-ocean blue water, strong current potential, and very good summer visibility when swell and wind stay down.
Safety & Access At Princesa Alice
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Strong current
Safety Notes
Experienced divers only. The site combines a long offshore crossing, blue-water conditions, depth, and currents that can strengthen quickly, so dives are usually run from a fixed descent line and guided closely from the boat.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only in suitable weather windows. Local operators may require advanced certification, a recent check dive, and meaningful prior dive experience before confirming a trip.
Legal Notes
Princesa Alice is described publicly as part of the Azores protected offshore reserve network, so follow current regional protected-area rules and any operator guidance in force on the day.
Local Intel For Princesa Alice
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Most scuba dives are organized around a descent line over the bank, with divers staying near the line instead of free-swimming far off the site in current.
Freediving
Freediving here is weather-dependent and best suited to experienced blue-water divers working from a dedicated boat team in calm conditions.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is only realistic in calm conditions and is usually limited to surface intervals when rays or other pelagics are holding high in the water.
Wildlife at Princesa Alice
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Princesa Alice
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Princesa Alice
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility20m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
