open-water
    (45)

    Poço Azul (Gerês) – Mainland – Inland Freshwater Sites

    8m Max
    15-30m Vis
    shore

    Site Overview

    Poço Azul is a crystal-clear mountain pool in Gerês, used for snorkel and small scuba training in cold water. A beautiful, easy inland spot. 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. 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 shore and descend in the clear pool for a short, cold training or snorkel dive, then ascend. 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. 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

    Trout

    medium

    Salmo trutta

    Best: Year-round

    Freshwater Crayfish

    high

    Procambarus clarkii

    Best: Year-round

    Minnow

    high

    Phoxinus phoxinus

    Best: Year-round

    Newt

    low

    Lissotriton spp.

    Best: Year-round

    Freshwater Crab

    high

    Potamon spp.

    Best: Year-round

    Safety & Hazards

    • Very cold water
    • Limited depth
    • Slippery rocks
    • Sun exposure
    • No current
    Nearest Chamber
    Hospital de Braga Hyperbaric Unit
    50km away

    Traveler Notes

    Who is this for?

    Good for snorkel, training and cold-water basics in Gerês. It suits beginners and families. 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.

    pool
    snorkel
    training
    inland
    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
    Currentnone
    Water Temp10-16°C
    Best TimeMay - September

    Dive Logistics

    Operators
    • Gerês Dive
    Pricing Guide
    $35 - $70
    Per 2-tank boat dive

    Photography Info

    Recommended Gear
    16-35mm
    60mm

    Best for: wide_angle, macro

    Nearby Stay