Horta is a bustling metropolis and one of the finest cities in the Azores. Below the clear blue waters that surround it, you’ll find a fascinating landscape formed by volcanic activity. Along the steep walls and dramatically creviced canyons, some of the Atlantic Ocean’s most fascinating and beautiful marine life waits to greet you. Here, we’ll take a brief look at six magnificent dive sites along Horta’s southwest shore.
Boca Das Caldeirinhas
Relatively few dive sites have something for everyone; Boca Das Caldeirinhas is a clear exception to this rule. Located near the Caldeirinhas nature reserve and just a short boat ride from Horta’s harbor, this site features stunning rocky steps at depths between 6 and 60 meters, with an view straight into the inner reaches of an underwater volcanic crater. The marine life here is both colorful and varied – you may find it difficult to decide where to focus your attention! Watch for moray and conger eels among the rocks, colorful parrotfish and wrasses, schooling barracudas, and more. Expert divers capable of exploring the site’s deeper reaches will be rewarded with the sight of splendid black coral.
Gruta Dos Camaroes
A wonderful dive site with a magnificent wall as well as a mysterious cave, Gruta Dos Camaroes is an underwater photographer’s dream come true. The cave’s entrance is about ten meters high and is located at a depth of 30 meters. Inside, shrimps, lobsters, and other creatures vie for attention; outside, groupers, forkbeards, and other fish are abundant. Watch for nudibranchs along the wall!
Paredo do Almeida
Another fantastic multi-level dive site, Paredo do Almeida offers plenty of stunning geologic features as well as encounters with diverse marine life at depths between 10 and 40 meters. Barracudas hunt smaller fish, grinning toothily as they swim past; jacks and dusky groupers pose for photos, and moray eels, crustaceans, and scores of invertebrates add motion to the steep, colorful wall.
Gruta da Pedra
While many of the dives near Horta can be accessed only via boat, Gruta da Pedra can be accessed either via a 15-minute boat ride from the harbor or via shore, from the southwest portion of the Monte da Guia nature reserve. There is an abundance of marine life here, but the real draw is the site’s geology. You’ll find massive boulders and a sheer wall here, along with a cave that features a 50-meter long tunnel to explore. The wall begins at a depth of 15 meters and drops to meet the ocean floor at 40 meters, and the cave’s mouth starts at a depth of 20 meters and ends at 40 meters. Truly dramatic and an excellent site for photography, Gruta da Pedra is one of a kind.
Gruta do Ilheu Negro
Sometimes referred to as the Black Islet, Gruta do Ilheu Negro features a huge cave with a sandy bottom. Inside, you’ll find narwhal shrimps as well as slipper lobsters and other intriguing creatures; outside, you’ll be surrounded by yellow damsels, colorful parrotfish, groupers, and many other fish. Though maximum depth here is just 20 meters, the cave is often washed with strong currents and can be challenging even for the most experienced diver.
Ilheu Negro
Located just a short distance from Gruta do Ilheu Negro, Ilheu Negro features beautiful geologic formations including canyons and small walls teeming with macro life including plenty of nudibranchs hiding out among colorful sponges. Flounder and stingray can be seen along the sandy bottom, and the water column is filled with fish of all kinds. Maximum depth here is just 18 meters, and there is plenty to see at shallower depths, as well.
Horta is a city with a rich history and a stunning landscape. There are plenty of diver-friendly accommodations here, and there is no shortage of cultural attractions. Museums hold fascinating artifacts that tell the story of the area’s maritime heritage, and of course there are wonderful beaches that invite restful relaxation. For fun in the sun and some truly fantastic scuba diving, give Horta a try. You’ll be delighted with what you discover here – both above and below the water.