Baixa do Espelho

Espelho Shoal, also known as Relva Shoal, is located opposite the parish of Relva, about 200 metres from the coast and approximately 5 miles from Ponta Delgada marina. It can be reached by boat in around 20 minutes from that marina, or in close to 60 minutes departing from Vila Franca do Campo marina. It is a coastal shoal with weak currents.

The site descends from 6 metres at the top to 23 metres at the bottom, making it suitable for divers of any level, for diving baptisms and also for snorkelling. In the upper part of the shoal, many small and colourful fish are concentrated, typical of Azores waters: various species of moray eels peeking out from holes, wrasse (Thalassoma pavo) and, around the structure, schools of salema (Sarpa salpa) and triggerfish (Balistes carolinensis).

As you descend along the wall, a small cave appears where you can enter and where branches of black coral (Antipathes wollastoni) grow. It is also a good spot to encounter pelagic species in schools, such as greater amberjack (Seriola rivoliana) and Atlantic barracuda (Sphyraena viridensis).

Down below, at 23 metres, the bottom is sandy and it is possible to spot, from time to time, large stingrays (Dasyatis pastinaca) resting motionless, as well as anthias (Anthias anthias).