Canhões de Entre Montes

At the Canhões de Entre Montes, off the coast of Faial, you dive into a sheltered cove protected from wind and current, right next to the point known as Baía de Entre Montes. Access is by boat, approximately five minutes from Porto da Horta, and the depth varies little, consistently ranging between 18 and 22 metres. This makes the site accessible to divers of all levels, starting with those holding Open Water certification. With weak current and abundant marine life, it’s also a good option for night diving and for those dedicated to underwater photography.

What distinguishes this spot are several imposing canyons and other structures with centuries of history. They were recovered by a team of archaeologists in the bay of Porto da Horta and then placed here to prevent their destruction. The entire route unfolds around three large rocks where these finds rest, in a setting surrounded by sandy bottom.

On the rocks and canyons, much of the site’s life concentrates, with many yellowtail damselfish (Chromis limbata) and various moray eel species. Less common visitors to this depth also appear, such as the scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa), and, during the summer months, large numbers of sea hares (Aplysia fasciata).

On the sandy bottom, with attention, it’s possible to spot eagle rays (Taeniura grabata), lizardfish (Synodus saurus) and flounder (Bothus podas). In the water column, schools of white seabream (Diplodus sargus) and triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) pass frequently.