Masses of blue hydrangeas reflect the color of the Atlantic Ocean around Faial, giving it the nickname of Blue Island or Ilha Azul. Faial is part of the Central Island Group within the Azores archipelago, and is the largest of all the Azores. With an area of land mass covering just over 173 square kilometers, its coastline extends for approximately 54 kilometers. Like the rest of the Azores, Faial Island was once a volcano; when you visit, you can see the massive caldera at the island’s center, and once below the water, you’ll find plenty of evidence that attests to the island’s geologic history. Here, we’ll take a brief tour of five dive sites along Faial’s west coast.
Condor Shark Dive - Portugal Dive Sites
If you find sharks fascinating, the Condor Shark site is one you won’t want to miss. At depths between 5 and 15 meters, divers encounter magnificent blue sharks as well as the occasional mako shark. At its best between July and September, this seamount is teeming with life. It is located approximately 25 miles offshore, so weather conditions must be favorable for the charter to make the trip.
Vulcao dos Capelinhos - Portugal Dive Sites
An exceptional multilevel dive site with plenty to see at depths between 10 and 30 meters, Vulcao dos Capelinhos is the site of the last-ever volcanic eruption at the Azores. This happened between 1957 and 1958; today, the dramatic underwater architecture includes caves, boulders, and magnificent lava arches. Schooling bream, guelly jacks, sleek barracudas, and moray eels are encountered here, as are sting rays and even the occasional hammerhead shark.
Baixa Alagada - Portugal Dive Sites
A truly beautiful site featuring a rock pinnacle that rises up for about 10 meters from a depth of 20 meters, Baixa Alagada is an excellent site for viewing macro life as well as for encountering larger animals like sharks and rays. This site is often washed by currents; when it is calm, it is suitable for all divers.
Morro de Castelo Branco - Portugal Dive Sites
With a towering wall and a quick-paced drift all at the same site, Morro de Castelo Branco is an exciting site even the most experienced diver will find exhilarating. As you drift along the wall, you’ll encounter schooling barracuda hunting for smaller baitfish; hogfish, common groupers, and scorpion fish are seen here as well. On days when the current is light, you can get up close and personal with all the creatures that make their homes along the wall; crabs, lobsters, and moray eels are just a few. Maximum depth is just 30 meters, but this site can be a challenging one.
Baixa do Morro - Portugal Dive Sites
Your inner photographer will have a field day at Baixa do Morro. A beautifully dramatic pinnacle rises up from a depth of 40 meters to within just 8 meters of the surface. Here, swirling clouds of colorful anthias mingle with much larger fish, including several grouper species, the occasional group of barracudas, and plenty of hogfish. More protected from swift currents than nearby sites, Baixa do Morro is suitable for all divers so long as the weather is favorable.
All of these sites are colorfully wreathed in sponges that provide shelter for an array of smaller creatures including nudibranchs, shrimp, lobsters, crabs, and others. Like an oasis in the middle of the sea, Faial is teeming with life above and below the surface. While you’re around its west side, be sure to spend some time visiting the nature reserves and the lighthouse. Don’t be surprised if you feel immediately at home; this is an island you may never want to leave.