Arcos da Caloura

Protected in a sheltered bay and approximately 300 metres from shore, the Arcos da Caloura welcome divers of all levels. The shallow depths, ranging from 5 to 18 metres, and weak currents make this location ideal for both introductory dives and snorkelling, as well as night dives and underwater photography. Access is by boat, approximately 15 minutes from Vila Franca do Campo marina or 30 minutes from Ponta Delgada.

The top of the reef sits at 5 metres and descends to 16 metres, where one of four entrances opens into the highlight of this dive site – a large cave. Inside, you’ll commonly encounter schools of sizeable jacks and some groupers (Epinephelus marginatus) that reside here. The ceiling is typically covered with dozens of nudibranchs of various species.

Around the cave, there is abundant small-sized marine life. You can spot different species of moray eels, pufferfish (Sphoeroides marmoratus), wrasses (Coris julis), flatfish (Bothus podas), rainbow wrasses (Thalassoma pavo), salema (Sarpa salpa), yellowtail damselfish (Chromis limbata), parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense) and black-capped basslets (Serranus atricauda).