Gruta Azul

The Blue Grotto is located on the east coast of Santa Maria, within a small sheltered bay next to São Lourenço Bay. It is considered one of the mergulhos cave diving sites on the island and is reached by boat, approximately 40 minutes from Vila do Porto Marina.

What sets this location apart are the three exit points, which allow you to plan various routes through approximately 150 metres of stone corridors. The light entering through these openings creates distinctive silhouettes and produces a setting that favours environmental photography. The current is usually weak.

With a maximum depth of only 17 metres, you can take your time exploring the cave. On calm sea days it is even possible to exit through the tip of the bay into open water and return along the outer side.

While exploring the grotto, it is common to encounter sizeable stingrays (Dasyatis pastinaca) resting on the sandy bottom or gliding through the narrower corridors. The walls are coloured by various sponges and small nudibranchs can also be spotted. It is a site that is well suited for night diving, diving baptisms, snorkelling and underwater photography.