Diving in Azores Canaries Madeira
Quick Facts
- • Entry types: Mostly shore entries
- • Expect: Varies by conditions visibility
- • Highlights: Discover Azores Canaries Madeira's dive spots
Explore the underwater wonders of Azores Canaries Madeira, ecoregion. This region features 100 documented dive spots, each offering unique underwater experiences. Whether you're seeking calm snorkeling bays, challenging freediving depths, or exciting scuba adventures, Azores Canaries Madeira has something for every underwater explorer. Browse detailed spot information, check current conditions from recent dive logs, and connect with the local diving community to make the most of your visit.
Regional Context
🏛️ Marine Hierarchy
🌍 Associated Countries
Countries in Azores Canaries Madeira (2)
Popular Spots in Azores Canaries Madeira (100+ spots)
3 Houses
3 Houses is situated in front of Caloura village, featuring a prominent rock formation that descends from 12 meters to 35 meters. The structure contains several openings that provide opportunities to observe various marine species. This dive site allows for a circular dive pattern. Notable species that can be encountered include dwarf tonguefish, wide-eyed flounder, cleaver wrasse, lizardfish, sea slugs, red mullet, seahorses, stingrays, round stingrays, and grey mullet.
Abades Bay
Abades Bay is located approximately 15 kilometers south of the airport and is designated as a marine protected area. This site offers year-round diving opportunities, sheltered from the Trade Winds. Divers can encounter a variety of marine life, including green turtles, angel sharks, frogfish, harlequin crabs, Atlantic stingrays, and large trumpet fishes. The diverse ecosystem supports both rare and endangered species, making it a significant location for underwater exploration.
Abakas I
Abakas I is a dive site located near the entrance of the port of Puerto Rico, with an average depth of 19 meters. The site features a combination of artificial and natural elements, providing a habitat for various marine life. Divers can expect to see a variety of smaller Atlantic species, including damsels, trumpetfish, parrotfish, and flounders. Additionally, large schools of snappers are often present, enhancing the underwater experience. The entry to the site is from the shore.
Alcala
Alcala Turtle Reef is a shore dive site featuring a sandy bottom interspersed with rocky areas. Divers can expect to see sea turtles, angel sharks, roncadores, lizardfish, cardinalfish, flounders, cuttlefish, rays, and eels. Night dives are recommended for observing rays hunting.
Alexandria
The Alexandria dive site features the wreck of a wooden fishing boat that sank in the 1980s. While the main structural beams remain intact, many of the smaller wooden components have deteriorated due to marine conditions. Divers can explore the sandy bottom where flounders and sand eels are commonly found. The wreck itself is home to various marine life, including snappers and groupers, and there are occasional sightings of seahorses.
Ali Baba'S Cave
Ali Baba's Cave is a 40-meter deep dive site suitable for advanced divers. Recommended equipment includes a torch for navigating the cave structure, which features a plateau at 30 meters. Marine life includes eels, sardines, angel sharks, lobsters, barracudas, and stingrays.
Ambrósio
Ambrósio is a dive site accessible via shore entry, located at coordinates 37.068500, -25.176500. The site is known for its warm water temperatures, typically above 22 ºC from July to October. Divers can expect to encounter large numbers of mobulas, with sightings often exceeding 30 individuals during a dive. Additionally, the area is home to whale sharks, barracudas, big tunas, jacks, wahoo, and various other fish species, making it a notable location for marine biodiversity.
Añaza
Añaza is a dive site characterized by a mix of rocky reefs and sandy areas, featuring notable volcanic rock formations. The site is accessible via a shore entry, utilizing a boat ramp equipped with handrails for ease of access. It supports a diverse marine ecosystem, with sightings of various fish species including trumpetfish, flounders, barracudas, and goldstreams. The conditions here are generally suitable for divers of all experience levels, including Basic Divers when conditions permit.
Anchors Canary
Anchors Canary is a wall dive that begins at a depth of 18 meters, where the wall extends down to 25-27 meters. Divers can explore the wall in both west and east directions. The site is named for the large, ancient anchors located along the dive route towards the west. Marine life commonly observed includes groupers, abbots, breams, and schools of sardines. Additionally, divers may encounter tunas, amberjacks, cods, rays, lobsters, and moray eels among the rocky formations.
Âncoras
Âncoras is named after the numerous abandoned fishing boat anchors located at the site. The anchor buoy is positioned at a depth of 6 meters. This site is suitable for Try Divers, beginners, and those conducting check dives, as well as for snorkeling activities. Marine life commonly observed includes porgies, parrot fish, sea bream, spider crabs, and occasionally moray eels or octopuses, along with trigger fish.
Âncoras do ilhéu de São Roque
Âncoras do ilhéu de São Roque is a dive site notable for the presence of several historical anchors positioned in front of São Roque Islet. These anchors were initially cataloged from the Ponta Delgada marina and subsequently arranged to form an artificial reef, enhancing the underwater environment. Divers can encounter a variety of marine species here, including Triton, axillary wrasse, white seabream, slipper lobster, two-banded seabream, ballan wrasse, barred hogfish, planehead filefish, and spiny spider crab. The site is accessible from the shore.
Anfi Beach
Anfi Beach features a gentle slope leading into the water, making it suitable for beginner divers and training courses. The sandy bottom is home to various marine life, including damsel fish and flounders. As divers venture deeper, around the drop-off, they may encounter octopuses and rays at depths of several meters. The site is also accessible for night dives, providing opportunities to observe nocturnal species.
Anfiteatro
Anfiteatro features a wall dive with numerous cavities extending up to 3 meters into the rock. The northern section includes a submersible tunnel that arches from a depth of 18 meters to the reef top at 12 meters. In the sandy areas adjacent to the reef, divers may encounter rays, schools of sea bream, and gorgonians. The rugged rock formations provide shelter for large groupers, trumpet fish, and scorpion fish, while barracudas and bonitos can be seen patrolling the open water.
AOW Deep
AOW Deep is a dive site that reaches depths of 30 meters, featuring the remnants of an old drain pipe from Los Caideros. This location serves as a practical training ground for divers looking to enhance their skills in deeper waters. The sandy bottom typically offers good visibility, making it easier to observe the marine life. Divers can expect to see typical deep-water species such as rays, gropers, and snappers. The area around the pipe is home to various scrimps and crabs, adding to the site's biodiversity.
AQUÁRIO
AQUÁRIO features stone stairs leading to an irregular bottom, providing access to a unique underwater environment. This site is notable for the observation of volcanic gas emissions beneath the surface. Divers can encounter a variety of small marine species, including Parrotfish, pompano, dusky grouper, common octopus, white trevally, yellowmouth barracuda, chub mackerel, blue mackerel, bogue, almaco jack, and sea chub.
Arco do Cavaco
Arco do Cavaco is located approximately 15 minutes by boat from Ponta Delgada Marina. This dive site is noted for its volcanic arcs and finger-like rock formations along the coast. The depth reaches up to 25 meters, making it suitable for drift diving. The site is named after its proximity to a local chocolate factory. Marine life commonly observed here includes Canary Damsels, Sea Breams, Rainbow Wrasses, Ornate Wrasses, Azores Chromis, Rock-pool Blennies, Rusty Blennies, Red Scorpion Fish, Madeira Rockfish, Redlip Blennies, and Black-faced Blennies.
Arcos Cruzeiro
Arcos Cruzeiro features volcanic arches located at a depth of 30 meters, making it a notable site for deep diving. Divers can also explore shallower areas starting at 12 meters and can reach depths of up to 18 meters without accessing the arches, accommodating open water divers. The marine life in this area includes species such as slipper lobster, two-banded sea bream, ballan wrasse, barred hogfish, planehead filefish, spiny spider crab, and triggerfish.
Arcos da caloura
Arcos da Caloura is situated 300 meters from a volcanic sand beach in the Caloura bay. The dive site features a reef that begins at a depth of 5 meters and descends to 20 meters. Notably, at a depth of 16 meters, divers can explore four significant arches, which serve as the primary highlight of this location. Marine life commonly observed here includes Canary Damsels, Salema, Rainbow Wrasse, Ornate Wrasse, Azores Chromis, Rock-pool Blennies, Rusty Blennies, Red Scorpion Fish, Madeira Rockfish, and Redlip Blennies.
Arcos dal Calhetas
Arcos dal Calhetas is a dive site accessible by boat, located approximately 14 minutes from the departure point. The site features notable lava tubes with multiple passages and entrances, providing an intriguing underwater landscape. Divers can explore depths ranging from 14 to 20 meters. Marine life commonly observed in this area includes rock gobies, cardinalfish, swallowtail seaperch, Mediterranean morays, fangtooth morays, pufferfish, sharpnose puffers, congers, spotted rocklings, and forkbeards.
Areal da Lapa
Areal da Lapa is a dive site situated adjacent to Calhau da Lapa, focusing on the sandy areas between the rocks. Access to this site is via boat. The dive features a slope where divers can encounter various marine species, including eagle rays, butterfly sting-rays, hogfish, groupers, triggerfish, barracudas, octopuses, arrow crabs, and trumpet fish, among others.
Arena
Arena is a dive site situated approximately 5 minutes from the Praia da Vitória marina. The site features a volcanic rocky reef at a depth of around 12 meters, providing a tranquil environment for divers. It is suitable for adaptive dives and offers opportunities for underwater photography. Marine life commonly observed here includes octopus, trigger fish, lobster, tuna, amberjacks, damsel fish, sea bream, scorpion fish, and barracuda.
Arena
Arena, also known as the Amphitheatre, is situated within the underwater park of Madeira. The dive site features depths ranging from 10 to 24 meters. Divers can expect to encounter various marine species, including schools of bream, trumpet fish, macaronesian groupers, barracudas, jack fish, slipper lobsters, crabs, and reef lobsters. The entry to this site is from the shore.
Arguineguin Reef
Arguineguin Reef is a 700-meter-long reef located at a depth of 14 meters (43 feet). It features numerous crevices and a deep overhang, and is home to marine life including stingrays, sea turtles, and moray eels. The best diving conditions are from May to October, with water temperatures reaching up to 18°C.
Arguineguin Reef
Arguineguin Reef is situated near the port of Arguineguin and consists of an elongated rock formation. The dive site marks the transition between a sandy seabed and a natural volcanic reef. Divers can explore numerous crevices and shelters that host a diverse array of marine life. Commonly observed species include large schools of yellow snappers and sardines, along with frequent sightings of octopuses, moray eels, and various rays.
Artificial
The Artificial dive site features a collection of concrete structures, including cubes, tubes, and pyramids, which create an artificial habitat for marine life. The sandy substrate contrasts with these sculptures, enhancing the underwater landscape. This site is one of five locations within the Artificial Reef system. Divers can expect to encounter various species, such as rays, trumpet fish, and moray eels. Additionally, large schools of snappers and barracudas are commonly observed in the area.
Artificial - Block2
Artificial - Block2 features a collection of concrete structures, including cubes, tubes, and pyramids, which create an artificial habitat for marine life. The sandy substrate surrounding these sculptures provides a stark contrast to the man-made formations. This site is one of five locations within the Artificial Reef system. Divers can expect to encounter various species such as rays, trumpet fish, and moray eels. Large schools of snappers are often present, accompanied by sizable barracudas, enhancing the biodiversity of the area.
Artificial - Block3
Artificial - Block3 features a variety of concrete structures, including cubes, tubes, and pyramids, which create an artificial habitat for marine life. The sandy substrate contrasts with these sculptures, enhancing the underwater landscape. This site is one of five locations within the Artificial Reef system. Divers can expect to see a diverse array of marine species, including rays, trumpet fish, and moray eels. Large schools of snappers are typically present, often accompanied by barracudas, making for an engaging dive experience.
Artificial - Blok1
Artificial - Blok1 features a variety of concrete structures, including cubes, tubes, and pyramids, which create a unique habitat for marine life. The sandy substrate surrounding these sculptures enhances the visual contrast. This site is one of five locations within the Artificial Reef system. Divers can expect to encounter a diverse range of species, including rays, trumpet fish, and moray eels. Large schools of snappers and barracudas are also commonly observed in this area.
Atalaya
Atalaya is a deep dive site located in the northern region of Lobos, suitable only for experienced divers due to its depths reaching between 32 and 34 meters. The dive begins on a volcanic platform at approximately 22 meters, from which divers descend northward along a ridge that features an impressive overhang, complete with cracks and tunnels. Below this overhang, divers can observe a variety of marine life, including lobsters, hermit crabs, nudibranchs, sponges, and anemones. Additionally, sightings of barracudas, dusky and common groupers, breams, and rays are common in this area.
Atlantida
Atlantida features impressive basaltic columns and formations at an average depth of 28 meters. Divers can observe a variety of marine life including octopus, pagre, yellow gorgonians, groupers, and greater slipper lobster, typical of the Canary Islands ecosystem. The site is accessible from the shore.
Atlantis
Atlantis is an artificial reef established by the Sub Marine company in Mogan, featuring various concrete structures such as pillars, helmets, and a whale carcass. Access to this site requires prior authorization from the Submarine Company. While the reef is artificial, it hosts a limited variety of marine life, including octopus, moray eels, damsels, and trumpet fish, among others.
Atlantis Rooftop Pool
The Atlantis Rooftop Pool is located within the Jardin del Mar complex and serves as a training facility for static and dynamic apnea exercises. This kidney-shaped pool features a shallow end with a depth of 0.8 meters and a deeper end reaching 1.8 meters. As an outdoor pool filled with chlorinated fresh water, it does not support any aquatic flora or fauna, providing a controlled environment for training.
Azul House Reef
Azul House Reef features volcanic rock formations and caves, with a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet), suitable for divers of all experience levels. Marine life includes barracudas, groupers, cuttlefish, trumpetfish, octopuses, moray eels, and more. Entry is from the shore.
Azul House Reef
Azul House Reef offers a diverse underwater environment characterized by volcanic caves and various rock formations. The dive site features a dynamic bottom topography, transitioning from sandy areas to rocky substrates, isolated coral blocks, and caves. The maximum depth at this site reaches 18 meters, making it suitable for both novice and experienced divers. Marine life includes unique species such as frogfish, large round stingrays, seahorses, and the rare monk seal. Additionally, divers can encounter octopuses, barracudas, groupers, garden eels, trumpetfish, cuttlefish, and moray eels.
Bahia Blanca
Bahia Blanca is a rocky reef situated between the Puerto Rico harbor and Amadores. The dive site features a gentle descent onto a large rock formation that gradually extends to a depth of approximately 12 meters. The area is characterized by a variety of sponges and marine vegetation, making it a suitable environment for diverse marine life. Due to its shallow depth, Bahia Blanca is ideal for beginner divers and training courses.
Bahía de Garachico
Bahía de Garachico offers a diverse dive site characterized by volcanic rock formations, including valleys and overhangs, alongside sandy areas and concrete blocks. The maximum depth reaches approximately 18-20 meters, accommodating divers of all experience levels. Marine life in this area includes ornate wrasses, trumpetfish, canary damselfish, octopus, sepia, arrow crabs, goldstreams, and barracudas, among others.
Bahia de Los Cancajos
Bahia de Los Cancajos is a sheltered bay ideal for confined water training, Try Scuba courses, and snorkeling. The site is characterized by rocky areas that provide habitat for various small reef fish, including Parrotfishes, Damselfishes, Trumpetfishes, and Pufferfishes. Additionally, the sandy bottom is home to Lizardfishes and flounders. The shallow depths allow for easy exploration of the marine life without the need for deep dives.
Bahia Fish
Bahia Fish is a shore entry dive site located approximately 8 minutes from Puerto Colon. The site features a sandy bottom and is sheltered from currents, making it suitable for beginner courses and Try Dives. Divers can expect to encounter various small species typical of the Atlantic Ocean, enhancing the training experience and enjoyment of the dive.
Bahia Lila
Bahia Lila is a dive site suitable for divers of all experience levels, located just a short distance from the shore near Balito. The site features a long, rugged wall with small caverns at the base, providing an opportunity for exploration. Marine life includes various species such as starfish, scorpion fish, parrotfish, trumpet fish, cardinal fish, wrasse, and damselfish. Divers may also occasionally encounter turtles during their dive.
Bahia Verde
Bahia Verde offers a shore entry dive along the coastline adjacent to the Green Beach hotel. The average depth at this site is approximately 8 meters. Divers can explore the coastal fortifications of the hotel, which serve as a habitat for various marine species. Notably, large groups of groupers can be observed utilizing the wall as a shelter. As the wall transitions into natural rock formations, divers will encounter significant clusters of yellow sponges.
Baía da Ribeira Brava
Baía da Ribeira Brava is a confined water dive site with a maximum depth of 5 meters, located near the Brava Diving center. This site is particularly suitable for novice divers looking to start their scuba diving experience. Marine life commonly observed here includes octopus, cuttlefish, salemas sea breams, jacks, and lizard fish.
Baia de Sao Pedro
Baia de Sao Pedro is a protected dive site accessible from the shore, with a maximum depth of 9 meters. The site offers favorable conditions for open water diving instruction. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including small local species such as groupers, rays, sea bream, octopuses, jack fish, parrotfish, eagle rays, dwarf tonguefish, and wide-eyed flounder. The underwater environment consists of a mixed substrate of rock and sand, providing diverse habitats for these species.
Baia do Pocâo
Baia do Pocâo is a boat dive site located near a rocky shoreline. The dive depth ranges from 10 to 18 meters, featuring prismatic rock formations interspersed with sandy areas. Divers can follow the coastline during their dive. Marine life includes numerous Triggerfish, various schools of smaller fish, eels concealed in crevices, and some shrimp.
Baía dos Porcos
Baía dos Porcos is a dive site located at coordinates 32.638700, -16.848500, featuring a shore entry. The dive begins at a depth of 8 meters and extends down to 18 meters. Divers can observe a variety of marine life, including yellowfin grunts, seabreams, and a resident conger eel, with the possibility of encountering a rare monk seal. The site is known for its vibrant light reflections that enhance the underwater colors.
Baixa da Cruz
Baixa da Cruz is situated near Machico village, approximately 100 meters from the shore. The dive site begins at a depth of 3 meters, featuring a small peak that descends to a sandy bottom at 35 meters. Divers can observe black coral along with large schools of barracuda and salemas that frequent the area around the seamount.
Baixa da Maia
Baixa da Maia, also known as Maia Reef, is a small islet situated less than 500 meters from the shore near the village of Maia. The surrounding area, extending 150 meters from the islet, is designated as a marine reserve, prohibiting fishing activities. Divers can expect to encounter schools of pelagic fish, including large groups of yellowmouth barracudas, Almaco jacks, and white trevallies in this protected environment.
Baixa Da Maia
Baixa Da Maia is a dive site located off Maia Village, Santa Maria Island, Azores, accessible by boat in about 20 minutes. Divers can expect to see schools of barracudas and amberjacks around boulders, along with yellow cluster anemones, groupers, white trevallies, stingrays, lobsters, crabs, and moray eels. The site provides varied underwater terrain suitable for exploration.
Baixa das Âncoras
Baixa das Âncoras is a rocky dive site that historically served as an anchorage for vessels visiting the Port of Vila Franca. The area is notable for its collection of scattered anchors from various historical periods, with some remaining intact. Divers can encounter a variety of marine species here, including stingrays, round stingrays, grey mullets, axillary seabreams, red porgies, wrasses, bastard grunts, blacktail combers, Tritons, axillary wrasses, and white seabreams. The site is accessible from the shore, making it convenient for divers to explore the underwater landscape and its diverse marine life.
Baixa das Cracas
Baixa das Cracas is situated near the Vila Franca do Campo islet, featuring numerous swim-throughs and passages. The dive site includes a sandy path that reaches depths of approximately 21 meters. Divers should be aware that conditions can include significant swell and currents. Marine life commonly observed here includes moray eels, groupers, stingrays, octopuses, amberjacks, barracudas, triggerfish, pufferfish, parrotfish, and salemas.
Baixa das Moreias - Clube Naval
Baixa das Moreias, located in front of Clube Naval do Funchal, features a rocky reef that supports a diverse array of marine life. The site is suitable for beginner divers due to its easy shore entry and straightforward navigation, as the reef runs in an east-west orientation. Common species observed here include moray eels, scorpion fish, fire worms, barracudas, rays, and gold stripe breams.
Baixa do Alex
Baixa do Alex offers easy diving conditions at depths ranging from 24 to 26 meters. The site is characterized by challenging orientation but is sheltered and typically free of current, located near the port entrance. Divers can expect visibility between 20 and 30 meters. Marine life includes groupers, various species of breams, puffers, damselfish, turkish wrasse, parrotfish, and arrow crabs.
Baixa Do Ambrósio
Baixa do Ambrósio is located near Santa Maria Island and is known for encounters with large groups of manta rays and schools of fish. The site features low depths, making it accessible for divers of all experience levels. Moonfish can also be spotted occasionally.
Baixa do Carneiro
Baixa do Carneiro is located approximately 25 meters from the stairs leading to the sea at Complexo Balnear do Lido. The dive site features a depth range starting at 5 meters and descending to 18 meters. It is suitable for divers of all experience levels, offering a chance to explore local reefs. Common marine life includes black moray eels, mullets, bottlenose dolphins, and red sea stars, with occasional sightings of frogfish.
Baixa do Cotrim
Baixa do Cotrim is an accessible shore dive located on the eastern side of the island within a nature reserve. The dive site features a reef with depths ranging from 8 meters at the top to 22 meters on the sandy bottom. In the shallow areas, divers can observe a small fish pond populated by Turkish wrasse and damselfish. As divers descend, they may encounter various species including breams, octopuses, morays, and rays.
Baixa do Espelho
Baixa do Espelho features a reef that begins at a depth of 7 meters and extends to a maximum depth of 35 meters. A notable characteristic of this site is a large volcanic hole with an arch, allowing divers to swim through it. The area is home to a diverse range of marine life, with both rocky and sandy substrates present. Common species observed include groupers, hogfish, parrotfish, sea bream, queenfish, jack mackerel, moray eels, salemas, puffins, hermit crabs, spider crabs, and nudibranchs.
Baixa do J
Baixa do J is a dive site characterized by a reef composed of large rocks that provide shelter for various marine species. The dive begins at a depth of 13 meters and extends down to 20 meters. Divers can expect mild to moderate currents, with visibility typically ranging from 20 to 30 meters. Common marine life includes friendly groupers, moray eels, trumpetfish, several species of breams, striped mullet, larger forkbeards, barracuda, and garden eels.
Baixa do Lobo
Baixa do Lobo is a seamount located a short boat ride from Quinta do Lorde Marina. This dive site is notable for the presence of the Monk Seal, one of the rarest seals in the world. The dive is accessible only by boat, making it a unique location for divers seeking to observe this marine life in its natural habitat.
Baixa do Max
Baixa do Max is a wall dive that ranges from depths of 15 to 33 meters. The site is known for its strong currents and undulating terrain, making it suitable only for experienced divers. Marine life includes groupers, rays, various bream species, damselfish, morays, anemones, shrimps, and maerl. The entry to the dive site is from the shore.
BAIXA DO OURO
Baixa do Ouro is characterized by a rock mass that is nearly at the surface, providing opportunities for dives that can reach depths of up to 25 meters. This site is frequented by pelagic fish, making it an interesting location for observing various marine species. Divers may encounter species such as dwarf tonguefish, wide-eyed flounder, cleaver wrasse, lizardfish, sea slugs, red mullet, seahorses, and both round and grey stingrays.
Baixa dos Leques
Baixa dos Leques is a shore dive characterized by a reef platform that begins at a depth of 8 meters and extends down to 22 meters on the sandy bottom. Divers can expect visibility ranging from 20 to 30 meters. The site is home to various marine species including groupers, morays, several types of breams, stiped mullet, larger forkbeard, blacktail combers, and damselfish. While the dive is generally easy, it can occasionally be affected by currents.
Baixinha
Baixinha is a dive site located near Ilhéu da Cal, featuring depths ranging from 7 meters to 30 meters. The underwater landscape includes stone walls at the bottom, and divers may encounter some current conditions. Visibility typically ranges between 20 and 30 meters. Marine life observed in this area includes various species of breams, blacktail comber, damselfish, turkish wrasse, parrotfish, morays, groupers, and rays.
Baja Bocarones
Baja Bocarones offers a unique diving experience characterized by its steep vertical walls teeming with marine life, particularly pelagic species. Divers may encounter groupers resting on the rocky surfaces. Access to this site can be limited due to strong winds prevalent in the area. Although it is not located within a Marine Reserve, the biodiversity present gives it a similar ecological significance.
Baja de Luis
Baja de Luis features a prominent volcanic rock formation that rises from a sandy and rocky seabed, reaching depths of 14 meters. The top of the rock sits at approximately 8 to 9 meters, creating a small wall that divers can navigate around. This area is rich in marine life, with opportunities to observe moray eels, crabs, and prawns hiding in the crevices. Under the overhangs, divers may encounter groupers, breams, and jacks. During certain seasons, sightings of angelsharks, rays, and occasionally turtles can also be expected.
Baja Fria
Baja Fria features a slope that descends to a drop-off beginning at 20 meters. Divers can reach their maximum depth before ascending to a plateau at 6 meters. This site includes a small swim-through, ideal for observing marine life. The drop-off is home to a forest of black corals, while the slope is populated with numerous sea stars. A notable giant lobster can be found within the swim-through area.
Bajo de la Vieja
Bajo de la Vieja is an oval-shaped shoal situated close to the beaches of Corralejo, with a maximum depth of 10 meters, making it accessible for divers of all experience levels. The site features a prominent false ceiling that encircles the main rock formation. To the west, divers can explore a collection of large loose rocks that form an intricate underwater maze. Marine life includes bigeyes, breams, and groupers, while moray eels and crabs can be found hiding among the rocks. Large stingrays are commonly seen, and during the summer months, eagle rays are also frequently observed.
Bajón del Río
Bajón del Río features three prominent mushroom-shaped volcanic formations that emerge from the sandy seabed at a depth of approximately 15 meters. These structures have been shaped over time by the action of waves and currents, creating a distinctive underwater landscape. The area is rich in marine life, with schools of breams, dreamfishes, and jacks found beneath the mushrooms. Above, barracudas and amberjacks can be observed, while moray eels, lobsters, nudibranchs, and prawns inhabit the crevices. Rays are often seen resting on the sandy bottom, contributing to the site's biodiversity.
Balito Deep
Balito Deep is located just off the Anfi Del Mar harbour wall, featuring a circular reef at a depth of approximately 22 meters. The site is home to diverse marine life, including large schools of snappers and barracudas. Within the reef's crevices, divers can observe moray eels, scorpion fish, and damsels. Rays may also be spotted passing through the area, adding to the site's biodiversity.
Balito Princess
Balito Princess is a straightforward boat dive with a maximum depth of 12 meters. The site features a small wall that divers can explore, making it suitable for beginners or as a practice area for skills such as re-entries and buoyancy control. The sandy bottom is a habitat for rays and possibly some sharks, along with various species like damsels, gunnies, and wrasse.
Balitown
Balitown is a shore entry dive site characterized by its unique landscape formed by corroded lava rocks, resembling a small town. The sandy areas between the rocks mimic streets, creating an interesting underwater topography. Divers may encounter a lost fishing net that stands upright, resembling a Christmas tree. The marine life typical of Gran Canaria can be observed here, including trumpet fish, damselfish, octopuses, cuttlefish, and occasionally, rays passing through the area.
Banco Dollabarat
Banco Dollabarat is a significant seamount situated in the protected offshore region between São Miguel and Santa Maria Islands. The dive site features an upwelling flow of nutrients, with depths starting around 5 meters and extending to over 200 meters. Divers can encounter a variety of marine life, including large tunas, wahoo, barracudas, and big groupers (mero). Additionally, there are occasional sightings of dolphins, whales, and even whale sharks. The site is accessed by boat.
Banco João Lopes
Banco João Lopes is a reef dive site located off the northern coast of Santa Maria Island. The reef reaches a depth of 40 meters (130 feet) with steep slopes, walls, and plateaus at 20 meters (66 feet). Common marine life includes jacks, yellowmouth barracudas, rainbow wrasses, ornate wrasses, dusky groupers, and devil rays.
Banco João Lopes
Banco João Lopes is situated on the northern coast of Santa Maria, roughly one nautical mile northwest of Anjos. This dive site features a reef that reaches a depth of 14 meters, with the seafloor descending to 40 meters. The area is located away from the shore and can experience moderate to strong currents, making it essential for divers to be aware of the conditions. Marine life commonly observed here includes Mediterranean rainbow wrasses (Coris julis), ornate wrasses (Thalassoma pavo), schools of salema porgies (Sarpa salpa), and blacktail combers (Serranus atricauda).
Barca / La Patera
Barca, also known as La Patera, features a submerged boat at the start of the dive, which is a notable characteristic of the site. The dive depth ranges from 25 to 40 meters, providing a unique experience for divers. The area is home to a diverse array of marine life, showcasing a blend of Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean species. During winter months, divers may encounter the endemic Angel of the Sea shark, adding to the site's appeal.
Barco Chino
Barco Chino features a prominent rock gate leading to a plateau at a depth of 18 meters. Divers can explore two towers located near the edge of this plateau. The site offers a variety of geological formations, including numerous holes, caverns, and swim-throughs, making it an engaging dive. Marine life includes large groupers and several macronese groupers, while lobsters, bear crabs, lancet ghost crabs, and moray eels can be found hiding in the crevices.
Barranco
Barranco is a shore dive site characterized by its rugged rock formations that create gorges and grottos, providing habitats for diverse marine life. The southern area features a large sunken buoy that attracts schools of fish. The sandy bottom is home to rays, while the rocky structures serve as cleaning stations for morays. Divers can also observe trumpet fish, scorpion fish, octopuses, and a variety of nudibranchs. Larger fish are frequently spotted in this area.
Biscoitos Cavern 1, 2, 3
Biscoitos Cavern 1, 2, 3 offers a long and shallow dive experience, with depths ranging from 18 to 23 meters. Divers will navigate through several valleys before reaching the caverns. This site is suitable for sidemount or twin set configurations, and technical diving experience is highly recommended. Marine life encounters include eagle rays, barracudas, moray eels, as well as smaller species such as groupers, red snappers, and sea bass.
Biscoitos Gate
Biscoitos Gate is a notable dive site characterized by a vertical wall that leads to a prominent gate measuring 2 meters in width and 5 meters in height, located at a depth of 32 meters. This gate provides access to an atrium that extends to 36 meters. Divers should be equipped with two scuba tanks or a twin set for this dive. The site is home to a variety of marine species, including dream fish, eagle rays, giant octopus, sea bass, red snapper, and grouper.
Black Beach
Black Beach, located off Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, features a small wall with abundant marine life. Divers can explore overhangs and rock structures at depths suitable for both beginners and advanced divers. Notable species include angel sharks, octopus, rays, cuttlefish, groupers, barracudas, seahorses, and nudibranchs.
Black Cove
Black Cove is suitable for beginner divers and offers conditions for advanced divers as well. The depth ranges from 13 to 18 meters with minimal current and water temperatures between 21°C and 25°C. Divers can access the site from the beach and can expect to see various reef fish, including damselfish and moray eels.
Black Tip
Black Tip is a dive site that can only be accessed by boat. The area is characterized by rocky formations with numerous cornices, providing opportunities for exploration. Divers can observe large red coral and a variety of marine life, including bastard grunt, striped grunt, white bream, glass eye, anemones, lobsters, prawns, moray eels, electric rays, stingrays, and seahorses. The use of a torch is recommended to enhance visibility while exploring the site.
Blue Hole
Blue Hole is located at the coordinates 32.644800, -16.824300, with access via the shore at the promenade Reis Magos in Canico de Baixo. This dive site is known for its diverse marine life, including large schools of yellowfin grunts and golden storm fish. Divers may also encounter conger eels and, with some luck, monk seals. The site offers a unique underwater experience with varying depths suitable for different skill levels.
Boca Cangrejo
Boca Cangrejo is a dive site suited for experienced divers, with accessibility for approximately 60 percent of the year. The site features an average depth of 30 meters, reaching a maximum depth of around 45 meters. Divers can expect moderate to strong currents during their dive. The marine life includes a variety of small to medium-sized species, with occasional sightings of tuna. The underwater environment primarily consists of rocky flora.
Boca de Esquinzo
Boca de Esquinzo is a training area characterized by a sandy bottom interspersed with seagrass patches. The site offers easy access from the beach, making it suitable for free diving, beginner courses, and skill refreshment. Marine life includes angel sharks, rays, cuttlefish, and a variety of small fish. During spring, schools of sardines can be observed from the surface near the shore.
Bocayna
Bocayna is located on the northern side of Lobos and is characterized by its diverse underwater landscape and various routes. The dive begins at a depth of 15 meters, where the seafloor slopes down at a right angle to a sandy area reaching approximately 22 meters. Common marine life includes corvinas and groupers, while amberjacks and tunas are less frequently observed. Divers may also encounter lobsters, moray eels, and arrow crabs nestled among the rocks, as well as rays and angel sharks resting on the sandy bottom.
Brains Cave
Brains Cave is a shore entry dive site located at coordinates 28.173100, -16.807500. The cavern features two distinct halls at a depth of approximately 12 meters. The right hall extends further into the cave, while the left hall contains an opening in the ceiling that allows natural light to illuminate the interior. Notably, divers may encounter the unique brain sponge (Corallistes nolitangere), which is found in this region between Portugal and Cape Verde, particularly in caves that have access to fresh water.
BURACO S. PEDRO
Buraco S. Pedro is accessed by boat and features a dive site that begins at a shallow depth of approximately 2 meters, extending down to 30 meters. The underwater landscape consists of a combination of sandy bottoms interspersed with rocky formations and walls. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including sea slugs, red mullet, seahorses, stingrays, grey mullet, axillary seabream, red porgy, wrasse, bastard grunt, blacktail comber, and Triton.
CABEÇOS ILHÉU MOSTEIROS
CABEÇOS ILHÉU MOSTEIROS is situated on the western side of Ilhéu of Mosteiros. This dive site is known for its diverse marine life, including larger species and a variety of smaller fish. Divers can expect to encounter species such as the Canary Damsel, Salema, Rainbow Wrasse, Ornate Wrasse, Azores Chromis, Rock-pool Blenny, Rusty Blenny, Red Scorpion Fish, and Madeira Rockfish. The site offers opportunities for deep dives and is characterized by strong currents, making it suitable for experienced divers. Entry to the site is from the shore.
Calamareo
Calamareo offers a wall dive that begins at approximately 12 meters on a volcanic platform. The reef descends steeply to about 22 meters towards the Northeast. Divers can explore in both directions, navigating through overhangs adorned with red gorgonians, as well as small caves, cracks, passages, and tunnels. Marine life includes red gorgonians, slipper lobsters, and various species of moray eels. Additionally, divers may encounter sting rays, eagle rays, large schools of fish, and well-camouflaged conger eels and hermit crabs.
Calçada do Gigante
Calçada do Gigante is characterized by a significant underwater rock formation located a short distance from the shore. This dive site is only accessible via boat, with depths ranging from 15 meters to 25 meters. Divers can explore prismatic rock formations and may encounter various marine life, including groupers, eels, and morays, along with shrimp and other interesting rock structures.
Calimera
Calimera is a shore dive that begins at Playa de Montaña Roja. Divers enter the water and head south, descending gradually to a maximum depth of 7 to 8 meters. The dive involves following the reef either to the right or left before returning to the entry point. This site is suitable for beginners and those looking to refresh their diving skills. Marine life includes red mullet, damsel fish, parrot fish, starfish, sardines, and flounders. Divers may also encounter octopus, cuttlefish, and occasionally stingrays, angel sharks, barracudas, turtles, or moray eels.
Caloura Panela
Caloura Panela is situated directly in front of Caloura village. The site features a significant cave that reaches a depth of 16 meters, with multiple light openings. Divers have the opportunity to navigate through various volcanic arches. Marine life commonly observed here includes Mediterranean moray eels, fangtooth morays, pufferfish, sharpnose puffers, congers, spotted rocklings, forkbeards, and eagle rays.
Camino de Altura
Camino de Altura features a steep wall that descends from a depth of 6 meters to 35 meters, where it transitions into a sandy bottom. The site is characterized by large boulders that are encrusted with sponges. A notable feature is a deep grotto located in the northern section, which extends beneath the reef along the wall's base. Divers can observe various fish species seeking refuge from predatory barracudas, mackerels, and tunas that patrol the surrounding blue waters. Additionally, morays and nudibranchs inhabit the rugged rock formations.
Cannons
Cannons is situated in Engrade Grande on Ilhéu de Baixo, also known as Cal. The site features three cannons and some ammunition, with an average depth of approximately 20 meters. Divers can explore a nearby small cave, where small fish are commonly seen. Additionally, jacks may be spotted within the cave, and with some luck, rays can also be encountered.
Canyon
Canyon is located just outside the bay and features a notable underwater canyon characterized by vibrant yellow and red sponges. This site is home to a variety of marine life, including parrotfish, trumpetfish, wrasses, spider crabs, scorpion fish, moray eels, and octopuses. The dive site is suitable for beginners, providing an opportunity to transition to more advanced diving experiences.
Cathedral
The Cathedral dive site features a large cavern with a 15-meter high and 20-meter wide entrance. Divers can explore soft corals and a rare black coral branch before entering the cave, which is inhabited by various marine life including stingrays.
Cementerio de Barco (Mole)
Cementerio de Barco (Mole) is a dive site located along the harbor wall, reaching a maximum depth of 8 meters. The underwater terrain consists of alternating sand and stone, providing a varied environment. At the eastern end, divers can explore numerous wreck remnants, including parts of vessels, anchors, masts, and a submerged marker buoy. The site serves as a nursery for various marine species, where divers may encounter barracuda, octopus, cuttlefish, parrotfish, and scorpionfish, among others.
Charco Del Palo
Charco Del Palo is located near the village of the same name in northern Lanzarote. The dive site features lava formations and sand plateaus, with a maximum depth of 40 meters (130 feet), though the most engaging part is at around 15 meters (50 feet), where divers can explore various caverns and marine life. This site offers two dives, accommodating both deeper and shallower experiences.
Charco Natural
Charco Natural is characterized by its unique lava formations, featuring caves, openings, and extensive lava fields that divers can explore. The site is home to a variety of marine life, including rays, which are commonly seen throughout the year. During the winter months, divers may encounter angel sharks. Additionally, barracudas, moray eels, and octopus inhabit the area year-round, providing diverse wildlife viewing opportunities.
Charco Verde
Charco Verde is best accessed by boat, as it provides a more comfortable diving experience compared to land entry. Divers can explore the area around the lava tongues, where sightings of rays, triggerfish, and reef lobsters are common. Additionally, small shrimps can be found hiding in the crevices of the rock formations.
Chupadero - El Puertito de La Lajita
Chupadero, also known as El Puertito de La Lajita, is a dive site accessible from the shore, featuring depths that are appropriate for beginners, as well as for snorkeling and free diving. The underwater landscape consists of rock walls and sandy bottoms, which support a diverse array of marine life. Divers can expect to encounter various species, including small to medium-sized fish, crustaceans, nudibranchs, rays, groupers, morays, octopuses, and angel sharks.