Azores dive sites

The Formigas Islets lie approximately 40 kilometres east-northeast of Sao Miguel, the main island of the Azores. Access is by boat from Vila Franca do Campo or Ponta Delgada, with the crossing taking approximately two hours depending on sea conditions. Due to the distance and Atlantic exposure, trips are weather-dependent and typically only operate from June through October when conditions are most favorable. Several dive operators on Sao Miguel offer day trips, and availability must be booked in advance as trips run only with sufficient participants and suitable weather windows. The crossing can be rough, and sea sickness medication is recommended.

The Formigas Islets and surrounding Dollabarat Reef were designated a nature reserve in 1988, making them one of the oldest marine protected areas in the Azores. The reserve encompasses the islets, surrounding waters, and several submerged pinnacles rising from the Atlantic seafloor. The nutrient-rich waters at this mid-Atlantic location support exceptional pelagic life, including what is believed to be one of the largest seasonal aggregations of mobula rays in the North Atlantic. The isolation and protected status mean that fish biomass on the submerged reef is significantly higher than on most Azorean dive sites.

Formigas is recommended for advanced divers with experience in open-water and current diving. Conditions can be challenging, with strong currents, surge near the pinnacles, and limited shelter if weather deteriorates during the dive. Most operators require Advanced Open Water certification as a minimum, and preference is given to divers with logged experience in current and blue water environments. The depth of the main pinnacles ranges from around 8 metres at the shallowest points to well beyond recreational limits. Safety stops in blue water with current are a regular feature of these dives.

A minimum of Advanced Open Water certification is required by all operators, and many recommend or require deep diving and nitrox specialties. The site involves open-ocean blue water diving with strong currents, no reference points, and depths of 30 to 40 metres on the seamount top. Significant surface swimming may be needed, and conditions can change rapidly. This is not a dive for inexperienced divers.

The season runs from July to September, with August typically offering the peak concentration of mobula rays and manta rays. The seamount sits 90 kilometres offshore, so weather windows are essential. Operators will cancel trips if conditions are not suitable, and it is common to have one or two cancellations in a week-long trip. Book at least a week to maximise your chances.