Lourenços

Baixa dos Lourenços is a dive reserved for those with experience. The depths are considerable, with the top of the reef starting at 24 metres, and strong currents can occur that require comfort in the water. As the bottom descends to 60 metres, it is also a prime destination for technical diving, with the added benefit of excellent underwater photography opportunities.

It is located about 2 nautical miles from the western point of São Miguel and around 13 miles from the marina at Ponta Delgada. Access is by boat, with journeys of 50 minutes from Ponta Delgada and 80 minutes from the marina at Vila Franca do Campo. It is one of the island’s best spots for seeing pelagic fish, with barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis), greater amberjacks (Seriola rivoliana) and white trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex) populating the waters, and during the summer months it is not uncommon to encounter devil rays (Mobula tarapacana) gliding around the reef.

At the top, between 24 and 30 metres, you will find an unusual richness of bottom-dwelling species. Here you can find large scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa), almost motionless on the rocks, and several species of moray eels. Along the edges of the reef is where it is worth looking for the schools of pelagic fish that give this location its reputation.