Baixa do Ferreiro de Fora

This reef off the coast of Graciosa adapts to practically any diving profile, with depths ranging from 7 to 44 metres. This range makes it a rare meeting point, accommodating everything from snorkelling outings to technical diving, with the current remaining moderate. Access is by boat, approximately 7 minutes from Santa Cruz da Graciosa Port or 20 minutes from Praia port.

At the top of the reef, at 7 metres, you’ll find the ideal spot for safety stops or decompression stages. This is where a cloud of small, colourful fish congregates, including wrasse (Coris julis), rainbow wrasse (Thalassoma pavo), yellowtail damselfish (Chromis limbata) and triggerfish (Balistes capriscus). Also notice the barnacles (Megabalanus azoricus), often inhabited by blennies (Parablennius incognitus).

A little further down opens a wide platform at 15 metres, ideal for keeping an eye out for schools of pelagic fish that often pass through here, such as greater amberjack (Seriola rivoliana), white trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex) and yellowmouth barracuda (Sphyraena viridensis). Those wishing to descend further will find, around 28 metres, extensive black coral formations (Antipathella wollastoni), the ideal zone for searching for deeper bottom-dwelling species, such as dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) and red seabream (Bodianus scrofa).