Princess Alice Bank (Pico/Faial) – Azores – Pico & Faial (Whale Shark Central)
Site Overview
Princess Alice Bank is the Azores most iconic offshore seamount, where whale sharks, manta and mobula rays and huge schools of barracuda and tuna gather in summer. A world-renowned blue-water dive reached by a long boat trip from Pico or Faial. 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
"Steam out to the bank and do a negative-entry blue-water descent to the plateau at 25-35 m, hooking in if needed. Watch the blue for whale sharks and mobula, ascend on a shot line with a long 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: Year-round
Blue Shark
Prionace glauca
Best: July, August, September
Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Long distance offshore
- Strong currents possible
- Cool thermoclines
- Surface chop
- Marine life including sharks
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
The bucket-list Azores dive for advanced divers wanting whale sharks and rays in blue water. It suits experienced pelagic and big-animal 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
- Pico Sport
- Cetacean Watch
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro