Gruta dos Camarões
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
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
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
Situata nella parte est dell’isola a circa 8 minuti dalla marina, é una piccola isoletta che sorge di fronte la villaggio di Maia. L’isola é davvero piccola, circa 10 metri quadrati e partendo dalla superficie possiamo arrivare fino a 18-24 metri di profondità, dato che la maggior parte dell’immersione sarà tra i 16-20 mt.
Gruta Azul
Situata nella parte est dell’isola a circa 11 minuti dalla marina, é una delle nostre mete preferite. Con una profondità massima di 17 mt ed una profondità media di 13-14 mt, é una grotta con tre possibili intrate e uscite che si incrociano sott’acqua e portano da una parte all’altra dell’isola.
Pedrinha
Situata nella parte meridionale dell’isola a circa 4 minuti dalla marina, é una delle immersioni obbligatorie che offre l’isola. Da una parte, un campo ricoperto da piccole cime, dall’altra formazioni di lava e canyon spettacolari; senza contare le bellissime gallerie attraverso le quali chiunque può passare facilmente.
João Lopes
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.