Double Dive Trip
June 20
Gruta dos Camarões
Maximum Depth 25 meters
PADI AOWD
Gruta dos Camarões is nothing more than a cavern where shrimp abound, beeing common to see hundreds of them. They are often preyed upon by small groupers, moray eels and forkbeards.
The depth varies between 10 and 25 meters (outside the cave) and as it is a low-light environment, the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification is recommended.
Ilhéu da Vila
Maximum Depth 25 meters
Certification PADI OWD
As one of Santa Maria's four reserves, Ilhéu da Vila is a dive with a wide range of options.
With depths ranging from 10 to 25 meters, it is suitable for all levels of diving.
In addition to the usual Azorean species, such as groupers, amberjacks, rays and others, the bottom has several small caves where you can find slipper lobsters and other crustaceans.
Calçada de Giante
Maximum Depth 30 meters
Certification PADI AOWD
Calçada de Giante is a dive site with depths between 15 and 30 meters.
Altough beeing a dive site with little current, the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver level is recommended, as the average depth is usually over 20 meters.
The topology of the bottom is the most distinctive feature, forming a prismatic wall with vertical prisms.
Shoals of triggerfish are common, as are shoals of groupers.
Baixa da Maia
Maximum Depth 24 meters
Certification PADI AOWD
Located at the East part of the island at approx. 8nm from the marina, this is a very small islet located in front of Maia small village.The islet is very small, approx. 10 Sq. mtrs, and starting from the surface we can go to depths of approx. 18-24 mtrs, being that most of the dive is done between 16-20mtrs.
Gruta Azul
Maximum Depth 18 meters
Certification PADI OWD
Located at the east side of the Island at approx. 11nm from the marina. This is one of our favorite dives, with a maximum depth of 17 mtrs and average depth of 13 -14 mtrs this is a cave with 3 possible entrances and exists that cross a point of the island from one side to the other.
Pedrinha
Maximum Depth 32 meters
Certification PADI AOWD
Located in the south part of the Island, at approx. 4nm from the marina this is one of the mandatory dives in the island.Composed by several small pinnacles at one site, its beautiful lava formations and canyons are magnificent; also it has two galleries that clients can pass thru very easily.
João Lopes
Maximum Depth 45 meters
Certification PADI AOWD
João Lopes is a dive site relatively close to the famous Ambrósio dive site.
With depths ranging from 15 to 45 meters, and always having some current, it is a dive recommended for divers with a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver level or equivalent certification.
Due to its proximity to Ambrósio, it is relatively common for mantas to appear here, albeit in smaller numbers.
There is also a resident school of barracudas and it is common to come across groupers and dusky groupers.
