Arcos da Formosinha

The Arcos da Formosinha are located approximately 150 metres from the coast, near the village of Madalena, in the Pico, and owe their name to the series of arches that you pass through along the route. It is a shallow dive with weak currents and excellent marine biodiversity, making it suitable for all divers and a great option for baptism dives, night dives, and underwater photography. Access is by boat, approximately 15 minutes from Porto da Madalena.

The descent begins at the top of the reef, around 8 metres deep. Here there is a carpet of seaweed that provides shelter for colourful fish such as the rainbow wrasse (Coris julis) and the peacock wrasse (Thalassoma pavo). It is also at this point that the first arch appears, which opens the way to two other smaller arches.

Going around the reef, it is worth peering into the crevices of the boulders, where yellow damselfish (Chromis limbata) and black damselfish (Abudefduf luridus) hide, as well as various species of moray eels and nudibranchs.

In the deeper areas, around 18 metres, it is common to find schools of trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex) and also eagle rays (Taeniura grabata) moving along the bottom.