open-water
    (120)

    Caloura (São Miguel) – Azores – São Miguel & Central Group

    18m Max
    15-30m Vis
    shore

    Site Overview

    Caloura is a protected bay on São Miguel with seahorses, pipefish and clear shallow water, making it a favourite for training and night dives. The gentle slope and easy shore entry suit all levels. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life.

    Dive Briefing

    "Enter from the harbour stairs and swim out over the slope, watching the seagrass for seahorses and pipefish, then ascend with a safety stop near the wall. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable."

    Signature Marine Life

    Seahorse

    high

    Hippocampus hippocampus

    Best: Year-round

    Pipefish

    high

    Syngnathus acus

    Best: Year-round

    Azorean Chromis

    high

    Chromis limbata

    Best: Year-round

    Octopus

    medium

    Octopus vulgaris

    Best: Year-round

    Moray Eel

    medium

    Muraena helena

    Best: Year-round

    Safety & Hazards

    • Mild current
    • Boat traffic in harbour
    • Limited visibility after rain
    • Sun exposure
    • Sharp rocks
    Nearest Chamber
    Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, Ponta Delgada
    15km away

    Traveler Notes

    Who is this for?

    Excellent for beginners, training and night dives, and for macro photographers after seahorses. It suits families and new divers. It suits confident Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance and who plan their trips around the best seasonal windows. It suits confident Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance and who plan their trips around the best seasonal windows. It suits confident Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance and who plan their trips around the best seasonal windows.

    bay
    macro
    seahorse
    azores
    beginner

    For Non-Divers

    Non-divers can enjoy boat trips, coastal walks and local cuisine while divers explore the site.

    Quick Stats

    Difficultyopen-water
    CertificationOpen Water
    Currentmild
    Water Temp17-25°C
    Best TimeMay - October

    Dive Logistics

    Operators
    • Caloura Dive
    Pricing Guide
    $70 - $120
    Per 2-tank boat dive

    Photography Info

    Recommended Gear
    16-35mm
    60mm

    Best for: wide_angle, macro

    Nearby Stay