Dive Trip

Terceira Island
2021/2022

Heading to… Terceira Island! Integrated in the “Central Group”, Terceira island, as well as the 9 islands of the Azores Archipelago, offers exceptional conditions for scuba diving!

Starting in Angra do Heroísmo, a historical city classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, there are several spots that promise to impress our divers. Considered the second place in the world with the largest number of shipwrecks from the time of the Discoveries and more than 40 anchors, integrated in the Underwater Archaeological Park of the Angra do Heroísmo bay, we have an authentic underwater museum right next to the quiet bay of Angra do Heroísmo. Come and visit the “Cemitério das Âncoras”!

But there´s more to see beyond shipwrecks. The famous underwater caves of Terceira Island promise to surprise you. The coastal marine life is characterized by the presence of friendly grouper, curious schools of pigfish (Orthopristis chrysoptera), scribbles, queenfish, octopus and several species of moray eels and nudibranchs, with walls covered by narwal shrimp (Plesionika narval).
Increasing the depth we can observe large stingrays (Dasyatis pastinaca), large schools of salemas porgies (Sapra Salpa), forkbeards (Phycis phycis). And precisely in September, we have a great chance of finding the majestic eagle rays.

All dive sites are teeming with marine life. With the great visibility conditions characteristic of the Azores, which here vary between 10 and 40 meters, the water temperature around 19ºC at the end of the season, we use 7mm wetsuits and semi-dry suits to explore the bottom of the sea.

Join us for one more unforgettable adventure!

INCLUDED

7 nights in a Standard Double Room at Pousada Forte Angra do Heroísmo

10 Dives, including “Cemitério das Âncoras”, “Gruta do Ilhéu das Cabras” e “Fradinhos”

All the necessary equipment

Dive Guide

All meals between the dinner of first Saturday until lunch of the last saturday

Insurance

NOT INCLUDED

Flight*

(*)Flights around 65€

Next Trips

3/09/2022 – 10/09/2022	Available
24/09/2022 – 01/10/2022	Available

Request more information and other details to bork@borkyou.com or fill out the contact form.

Additional information

Included	Pensão Completa

10 Dives with all equipment included

Among the many dive sites that we’ll explore, we have selected some of the best known that we include in our dive plan. With departure by boat from the port of Pipas, heading to…

Cemetery of Anchors

Underwater Archaeological ParkWith weak currents and great visibility conditions to start with, just 3 minutes by boat we’re going to Cemetery of Anchors”, one of the most iconic dive sites of the Azores. Part of the Underwater Archaeological Park of the Bay of Angra do Heroísmo, it has undeniable historical importance. With an undeniable wealth and historical importance, you can find more than 40 anchors, left in this place over several hundred years. Among various species we can see Moroccan white seabreams (Diplodus sargus), young axillary seabreams (Pagellus acarne), large dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), Mediterranean morays (Muraena helena), salema porgies (Sarpa salpa), Almaco jacks (Seriola rivoliana) and even common stingrays (Dasyatis pastinaca).

O Lidador

Underwater Archaeological ParkAn easy and shallow dive excellent to start, also part of the Underwater Archaeological Park of the Bay of Angra do Heroísmo, the Lidador sank in the bay of Angra do Heroísmo in 1878 at about 8 meters deep and 50 meters from the coast. There are about 80 meters separating the stern from the bow and although the latter is better preserved, we can still identify several traces of the ship. Historical and cultural heritage, it is now the habitat of a great abundance of small marine species, since fishing in this place is prohibited. An admirable quantity of octopuses (Octopus vulgaris), Madeira rockfish (Scorpaena maderensis), ornate wrasses (Thalassoma pavo), Azores chromis (Chromis limbata), Mediterranean rainbow wrasses (Coris julis), and blacktail combers (Serranus atricauda), as well as rarer species such as planehead filefish (Stephanolepis hispidus) and streaked gurnards (Trigloporus lastoviza).

Fradinhos

Underwater Volcanic ConeLocated about 5 nautical miles southeast of Terceira Island, Fradinhos is a group of islets, constituting the emersed top of a submarine volcanic cone. Classified as 5/5 in terms of marine life, besides the abundance of fish this dive site is known for the passage of large pelagics. In addition to the typical Azorean species, there are frequent encounters with the imposing dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), colourful barred hogfish (Bodianus scrofa) and large red scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa). It is also common to find large schools of pelagic fish, including Almaco jacks (Seriola rivoliana), bluefish (Pomatomus saltator), yellowmouth barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis) and even graceful devil rays (Mobula tarapacana).

The Cave of the Sheep Islet

Sheep IsletPossible to see from the place where we’re staying, the Sheep islets are located half a nautical mile from the harbor. We will do several dives there. One of them will be the Cave of the Sheep Islet, also known as Cave of Stingrays due to its abundance in the summer when it is possible to see up to dozens of them. It’s a cave that’s located on the North side of the islet that faces west. Besides the typical fauna of the Azorean bottom we can see schools of pelagic fish, such as Almaco jacks (Seriola rivoliana) yellowmouth barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis), and bluefish (Pomatomus saltator).

Cinco Ribeiras

Series of Complex CavesThe dive starts inside the natural pool of Cinco Ribeiras. Here we have access to the best known underwater cave complex of Terceira island, formed by several extensive galleries, connected by corridors and small spaces. Although it is a sheltered place and accessible to any diver, the complex is only explored by more experienced divers. In this spot we can observe several species of moray eels and nudibranchs, with walls covered by narwal shrimp (Plesionika narval). Forkbeards (Phycis phycis) are often seen feeding on the narwhal shrimp, and colourful red cardinal fish (Apogon imberbis).

POUSADA FORTE ANGRA DO HEROÍSMO

The pousada in Angra do Heroísmo is situated on top of a 16th century fortress, the only example of military architecture and is commonly known as Castelinho de São Sebastião. It was built by King Sebastião, from which it takes its name, on a plot of land overlooking the bay of Porto de Pipas. From the top, you can enjoy the view of the Ilhéus das Cabras and Mount Brasil to your right. Despite its historical interest the rooms have a modern decoration and you can refresh yourself in the two swimming pools available, for children and adults.