Ilhéus das Formigas: Reportedly Europe’s Best Dive Site
Some dives happen close to shore. Others demand a two-hour boat ride across open sea before the destination even comes into view. Ilheus das Formigas belongs to the second category, and it’s precisely that isolation that makes it, for many divers, the best spot in Europe.
A lighthouse in the middle of the ocean
Located north of Santa Maria island, Ilheus das Formigas is a small cluster of basalt rocks just 11 metres high and 165 metres long, marked by a lighthouse that’s one of the icons of Azorean lighthouse heritage. A few miles away lies Dollabarat Bank, a seamount sharing the same marine reserve status.
A Nature Reserve since 1988
Created in 1988 and reclassified as a Regional Reserve in 2003, the area protects both the islets and all marine resources of Banco das Formigas, covering more than 52,000 hectares. Fishing, collecting geological material, and disturbing nesting birds are all prohibited.
One of Europe’s best dives
Clear waters, with visibility reaching up to 50 metres, and temperatures between 19C and 24C, draw large schools of pelagic fish and, in some spots, more than a dozen mobula rays at once. Divers can also explore the wreck of the ‘Olympia,’ between 30 and 50 metres deep.
An adventure for experienced divers only
The trip out to Formigas takes about two hours by boat, and the open-sea conditions and strong currents mean this dive is recommended only for those with prior experience and good buoyancy control.
Planning your dive
- Diving season: June to October.
- Certification: prior open-water experience recommended.
- Trip duration: usually a full day, with two dives.
Best time to visit
July and August bring calmer seas for the long boat crossing.
Nearby highlights
Before or after the dive, explore Baia de Sao Lourenco, on Santa Maria.
After Formigas, head back to Santa Maria to explore the island that serves as base camp for this great diving adventure.
Learn more about diving in the Azores.
Learn more about the fauna of the Azores.
