Formigas Islets (Santa Maria) – Azores – São Miguel & Central Group
Site Overview
The Formigas Islets are remote, current-swept seamounts south of Santa Maria, among the Azores top pelagic sites. Huge schools of jack, barracuda and tuna swirl over the rocks, gorgonians cover the walls and mobula rays and whale sharks appear seasonally from July to September. It is an advanced 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
"Reach the islets by a long boat trip and descend on the seamount in a current-friendly negative entry. Hook in if needed and watch the blue water for mobula and whale sharks, then drift with the group and ascend on a shot line 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
Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
Best: July, August, September
Mobula Ray
Mobula tarapacana
Best: July, August, September
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Thunnus thynnus
Best: June, July, August
Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Best: Year-round
Scalloped Hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini
Best: August, September
Safety & Hazards
- Very strong currents
- Long distance from shore
- Surface chop and swell
- Hypothermia in cool water
- Marine life including sharks
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Best for advanced divers comfortable in strong currents and blue water who want high-voltage pelagic encounters. It suits experienced photographers and big-fish enthusiasts. 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
- Santa Maria Dive
- Azores Adventures
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro