Condor Seamount (Faial) – Azores – Pico & Faial (Whale Shark Central)
Site Overview
Condor Seamount is a submerged pinnacle off Faial with big-pelagic action: manta rays, seasonal scalloped hammerheads and blue sharks, plus amberjack and barracuda on the walls. A premier Azores blue-water dive. 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
"Boat to the seamount and descend the shot line, hooking on the pinnacle if current builds. Scan the blue for mantas and sharks, then ascend with a safety stop. 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
Scalloped Hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini
Best: August, September
Manta Ray
Mobula birostris
Best: July, August, September
Blue Shark
Prionace glauca
Best: July, August, September
Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Best: Year-round
Atlantic Barracuda
Sphyraena viridensis
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Moderate to strong currents
- Depth management
- Surface chop
- Cool thermoclines
- Marine life
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For advanced divers after hammerheads, mantas and blue sharks in blue water. It suits experienced pelagic photographers. 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.
For Non-Divers
Non-divers can enjoy boat trips, coastal walks and local cuisine while divers explore the site.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Cetacean Watch
- Faial Divers
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro