Azores Diving: When to Visit for Mantas, Sharks, and Seamounts

Set in the mid-Atlantic between Europe and North America, the Azores archipelago is Portugal’s best-kept diving secret — a volcanic world of deep blue seamounts, coastal reefs, and encounters with some of the ocean’s most graceful giants. Here, manta rays, mobulas, blue sharks, and even whale sharks glide through the clear, nutrient-rich waters. Closer to shore, lava-formed walls shelter groupers, moray eels, and schools of pelagic fish. Though diving is seasonal, the rewards are spectacular. Here’s your guide to the best time to dive in the Azores and where to go for the most unforgettable underwater experiences.

Quick Summary

Best time to dive: June to October (warmest, calmest, best pelagic action)
Water temperature: 17–24°C (63–75°F)
Visibility: 15 to 40 meters (50–130 feet)
Marine highlights: Manta rays, mobulas, blue sharks, whale sharks, groupers, deep seamounts
Season type: Temperate-subtropical; summer-only diving for pelagics

Diving Seasons in the Azores

Peak Season (June to October)

This is the best time to dive in the Azores, offering the warmest water, longest days, and the highest chances of seeing pelagic megafauna. Between July and September, divers can encounter manta rays, devil rays, whale sharks, and blue sharks, particularly around offshore sites such as Princess Alice Bank (near Pico and Faial) and Ambrosio (off Santa Maria).

Calmer seas during these months make long-range trips to deep seamounts and islets more reliable. Formigas Islets and Dollabarat Reef offer volcanic drop-offs teeming with barracuda, amberjack, and giant trevally, while coastal dives near São Miguel and Terceira feature tunnels, lava caves, and ancient shipwrecks that are home to a thriving resident life.

Shoulder Season (May and early June)

Some dive centers begin operations in late spring, though weather and sea conditions can be more unpredictable. Water is still cool (17–19°C), and pelagics haven’t fully arrived, but visibility can already be excellent. Macro species and coastal reef life are active, especially for divers exploring São Jorge, Terceira, or Pico early in the season.

Fewer boats and tourists mean quieter sites — ideal for photographers interested in wrecks and reef structure rather than big animals. However, most offshore trips don’t begin until late June, when conditions allow safe and consistent access to the open-sea sites.

Marine Life Highlights

The Azores deliver a dramatic mix of Atlantic pelagics and temperate reef species. In the summer, mobula rays gather in massive numbers at Princess Alice Bank, rising from depths of 1,000 meters to hover above cleaning stations just 30 meters from the surface. Ambrosio, off Santa Maria, is one of Europe’s most reliable manta ray hotspots.

Blue sharks are frequently encountered at offshore baited dives near Pico, Faial, and Terceira, with some lucky divers also spotting makos. Closer to shore, walls and ridges carved by lava flows shelter dusky groupers, bream, moray eels, octopuses, and triggerfish. In select years, whale sharks visit the Azores — especially around Santa Maria — usually in late July through September.

Photography Tips by Season

For wide-angle encounters with manta rays and blue sharks, July to September offers the best light, visibility, and sea conditions. At seamounts like Princess Alice, rays shoot from below to frame the water against the sun-dappled surface. Bring strobes or video lights to reduce backscatter and capture the metallic gleam of fast-moving sharks against a blue water backdrop.

Early season (May–June) and late October are ideal for reef and wreck photography. São Miguel’s Dori wreck and Terceira’s Lidador wreck provide eerie silhouettes and well-preserved structures. Use a red filter or manual white balance at depths beyond 20 meters, and consider macro lenses for moray eels, nudibranchs, or sponges in coastal shallows.

Dive Travel Tips for the Azores

Liveaboards vs. Resorts: Diving in the Azores is primarily day-trip based from islands like Pico, Faial, Santa Maria, Terceira, and São Miguel. There are no full-time liveaboards, though private charters can be arranged.
Booking in advance is recommended, as the peak season (July–September) sees limited boat capacity for the Princess Alice, Ambrosio, and shark dives. Book 3–6 months ahead for offshore excursions.
Permits: No special permits are required for diving; however, protected marine areas may have limited access. Most dive operators arrange logistics in advance.

Dive Operators and Logistics

Reputable operators, such as CW Azores (Pico), Azores Sub (Faial), Best Spot Azores (São Miguel), and Haliotis Dive Center (Santa Maria), run full-day trips to Princess Alice, Formigas, Dollabarat, and Ambrosio, offering Nitrox, rental gear, and professional guides. Most dives are conducted on boat-based trips, with departures early in the morning and returns late in the afternoon.

Multi-island dive itineraries are popular, combining Santa Maria’s mantas, Pico’s blue sharks, and Faial’s seamounts into one extended trip. Ferries and regional flights make inter-island travel easy, especially during high season.

Other Top Dive Destinations by Season

For more Atlantic or temperate dive adventures, you may also enjoy:

When to Dive in the Azores

For the full Azorean diving experience — manta rays, blue sharks, whale sharks, and seamounts alive with life — the peak season from June to October is the time to go. Late July to September offers the best odds of pelagic sightings and calm offshore conditions. But even in the shoulder months, the Azores delivers dramatic underwater landscapes, rich Atlantic marine life, and a refreshing blend of adventure and discovery that’s unlike anywhere else in Europe.