Azores – São Miguel & Central Group

About Azores – São Miguel & Central Group

São Miguel is the largest island of the Azores, a mid-Atlantic volcanic outpost where dramatic lava coasts meet deep blue pelagic water. The central group offers everything from the upright Dori wreck and the sheltered Caloura bay to the remote Formigas seamounts, home to whale sharks in summer. Dive centres operate from Ponta Delgada, and boat trips reach pinnacles such as Baixa da Maia and Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo. This region rewards careful planning and respects marine-protection rules, offering rewarding diving for a range of Atlantic experience levels. This region rewards careful planning and respects Portuguese marine-protection rules, offering rewarding diving for a range of Atlantic experience levels.

Highlights

• ✓Dori Wreck: an upright 60 m cargo ship scuttled as an artificial reef with resident groupers.
• ✓Formigas Islets: remote current-swept seamounts with whale sharks from July to September.
• ✓Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo: a natural marine reserve with clear water and abundant coastal fish.
• ✓Caloura: a protected bay with seahorses and pipefish, ideal for training and night dives.
• ✓Baixa da Maia: a submarine pinnacle visited by manta rays and amberjack.

Getting There

Fly into João Paulo II Airport (PDL) at Ponta Delgada, then dive by boat from harbours such as Caloura, Vila Franca and Ponta Delgada. The Formigas and Dollabarat banks require a longer liveaboard-style boat trip from Santa Maria or São Miguel.