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Country: Portugal Area: Portugal
Water Temp: 16 - 30°C (61 - 86°F)
Visibility: 10 - 40m (33 - 131 ft)
Depth Range: 5 - 60m (16 - 197 ft)
Book A Diving Trip OnlineSao Miguel, also referred to locally as The Green Island, is the largest and most populated in the Azores. It's a land of volcanic crater lakes where visitors can go canoeing or relax in natural hot water pools, enjoy a local brew of Azorean tea or eat a range of tropical fruit.
Book A Dive Center OnlineThe island also has very comfortable diving with an average visibility of about 30m (98 feet). The dive sites are varied, with shallow rocky reefs, arches, caves, wrecks, and deeper dives for more experienced divers with a sense of adventure. There is an abundance of marine life and photographers can enjoy capturing the rich underwater scenery.
Marine Conservation Research International conducted surveys of cetaceans in the Azores in 2012 to build upon ongoing research, and there are a variety of conservation measures in effect for humpback whale species in the Northwest Atlantic. In 2013 the Azores was certified as a European Geopark (part of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network) due to its variety of wildlife and protected marine life.
Sao Miguel coast, Credit
Temperatures on Sao Miguel tend to range between 14C (57F) and 26C (79F) throughout the year and remain mild and temperate. It's susceptible to many Atlantic storms and there tends to be a lot more rain during the winter.
Houses, Sao Miguel, Credit
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Vila Franca
A short boat ride from Vila Franca do Campo, this site is a small islet that was formed from an ancient submerged volcano. Large underwater boulders form various shapes where divers can enjoy spotting octopus, moray eels, grouper and grey trigger fish, all of which are common. The dives here are generally easy, with depths of up to 22m (72 feet).
This Liberian cargo ship sank in January 1964 close to Sao Roque. She is situated at around 20m (65 feet) and surrounded by a sandy bottom. It's not possible to penetrate the wreck safely, but it's a varied site and is home to schools of fish such as sea bream, salemas, wrasse, flounder and mullet.
Amora
Located in the south coast between Ponta Garca and Ribeira Quente, this site is characterized by large pebbles over a seabed of sand. The dive begins at around 15m (49 feet) and has a maximum depth of 28m (91 feet). It's possible to spot barred hogfishes, Ballan wrasses, Mediterranean parrotfishes and black tail combers. Spread through the pebble area are white sea breams, moray eels and rainbow wrasses while into the blue are large sholas of blue jack mackerels and amberjack.
Arcos Da Caloura
This is a good place for snorkeling and all types of dives. Average depth is around 12m (39 feet) and currents are weak. The top of the reef lies at a depth of 5m (16 feet) and drops to 20m (65 feet). At 16m (52 feet) is one of the four entrances to a huge cave - the main attraction of this spot. Inside are schools of large white trevally and dusky groupers. The ceiling of the cave is usually filled with dozens of different nudibranchs. Around the cave are moray eels, ornate wrasses, parrotfish and wide-eyed flounders.
Baixa Do Espelho
With a minimum depth of 6m (19 feet) and a maximum of around 23m (75 feet), this site is accessible to divers of all levels. The top of the reef is full of small colorful fish and several species of moray eels. Descending along the reef's flank there is a small cave which divers can enter to see some stretches of black coral. This part is also a good place to see yellowmouth barracudas and Almaco jacks. At 23m (75 feet) it's sometimes possible to spot large common stingrays over the sandy seafloor.
The sea, Credit
Fontes Hidrotermais
This site is located in a seismic zone, which is also volcanically very active. Divers can observe fumaroles, a secondary volcanic phenomenon. The release of air bubbles also creates a kind of "curtain," a natural spectacle. The area is considered easy to dive in with a shallow depth (maximum 10m or 32 feet).
Lourencos
This site is only recommended for experienced divers as the top of the reef is 24m (79 feet) deep and currents can be moderate to strong. As the seafloor is at 60m (197 feet), it's a good spot for technical dives. Divers can spot schools of pelagic fish like yellowmouth barracudas, Almaco jacks, white trevallies and even devil rays in the summer months. Along the top of the reef is a large amount of species such as large red scorpion fish.
Panela
Here there are several arches and caves to explore but a large cavern with two entrances attracts plenty of divers. The opening is at 10m (32 feet) and divers can reach the bottom at 17m (56 feet). Effects of the light, created by the entrances above, are another big attraction. Sometimes there are large congers, rockfish and an array of nudibranchs. It's a good spot for underwater photography too.
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Sao Miguel can be reached by plane from main European airports such as Lisbon, and the US and Canada. The main Azores airport is about 2km from the center of the capital city Ponta Delgada. It provides a daily service to Europe via Lisbon as well as regular interisland flights. Getting to Ponta Delgada from Lisbon takes about 2 hours. Weekly flights to the US and Canada are available through various charter companies on the island.
Airbus, Credit
Renting a car at the airport is the best way to explore the island. Buses are also available between the larger towns.
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Alcides is a famous restaurant in Ponta Delgada known for its Alcides steak. 100 Espinhas is located in the Portas do Mar marina in Ponta Delgada and offers tuna, swordfish or white grouper. O Corisco in the historical center of Ponta Delgada is known for live performances during dinner, while seafood specialties are served at the Acores Marisqueira. The Cozido das Furnas is one of the most emblematic dishes of Sao Miguel, where several ingredients are placed in a pot and buried next to the hot water springs. Tony's Restaurant serves this dish.
Food, Credit
Arco 8 is a Bar & Art Gallery in the fisherman's neighborhood of Sta Clara with a relaxing atmosphere, range of alternative music and art events at weekends. Bom Bom bilhares in Ponta Delgada is good for a range of music and there are pool tables too.
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There are some popular hiking trails (usually one-day trails suitable for beginners) in and around the Sete Cidades caldera. Whale and dolphin-watching tours from small boats that leave from Ponta Delgada are also available. Surfing is also a popular activity at spots such as Anjos, Baixa da Viola, Populo and Praia Formosa, and there are some natural pools that were formed from volcanic activity and sea erosions. The most famous is in Vila Franca, created by the crater of a volcano. Furnas in the east inland of Sao Miguel and in the middle of mountains and forests is the place to visit hot springs, while Caldeira Velha is a national park with rich vegetation.
Lagoa do Fogo, Sao Miguel, Credit
Children can enjoy a bicycle tour, canoeing or swimming in the lake of Sete Cidades, enjoy whale watching, swim with dolphins and visit the natural reserve of Fogo, a blue lake in a volcanic crater.
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If bathing in ferrous water (Caldeira Velha, Parque Terra Nostra) a dark swimsuit or an old one is recommended as the water leaves orange stains on the fabric.
Riverbank! Credit
The roads on Sao Miguel can be quite narrow and there is often little or no pavement in the towns and the roads connecting the towns.
Sao Miguel – is the largest out of 9 volcanic islands that form Azores archipelago. Located in the north Atlantic it’s about 900 miles west of the main land of Portugal and roughly 2500 miles to the shores of North America, which translates to only 4 hours of flight directly from Boston.It is very picturesque place and one can find lots of things to do.
Right from the beginning I would like to thank all members of "Espirito Azul" for assistance in making all dives an easy and pleasurable experience. There are two dive-shop all located within 20-30 yards from each other. They also all tacked in into one floor mini-mall, which wraps Marina de Villa Franca. Basically it's a boutique shop which runs 2 dives a day - in the morning and afternoon. Except for really long distances (then fiberglass boat is utilized), shop does all its dives off a large inflatable (good for 14-16 people). Carlos - the owner – is very knowledgeable and very easy to deal with.
One of the best places to dive in Azores, as I was told, is Dollabarat Reef, aka Formigas islets. It is about 42 miles from Sao Miguel and only 35 miles from Santa Maria. On this trip we did not go to the atolls, but an acquaintance of mine dove there in the same period of time and (not that I'm complaining) had somewhat better luck. Yet he also mentioned that water was a bit colder to maintain large amount of the plankton. That diminished presence of sardines, mackerel and other smaller fish which, in its turn, attracts greater hunters such as dolphins, tuna, whales and other large pelagic fish. So even he was able to see manta rays it was not the same experience than in previous years. The best time for diving around Formigas islands are mid July through September.
I had only 3 days available to dive at Sao Miguel. Such a short period, in my opinion, cannot give you comprehensive picture. And yet 4 dives that I was able to make went well and I would love to come back for more.
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Timur Kholodenko
Thank you, Catherine, I appreciate the comment.
Jaromíra Tomanová
Nudibranch on the loose! Good timing - good photographs :)
Timur Kholodenko
Thanks, Tomanovà.