Arcos dal Calhetas - Azores
Arcos dal Calhetas offers a gentle dive to 18m, making it a good choice for intermediate divers looking for a relaxed exploration. We found a series of small arches and swim-throughs carved into the volcanic rock, providing interesting routes to navigate. It’s a pleasant spot for observing the smaller reef fish that shelter within the rock formations, though it’s not known for big pelagic encounters. Expect a straightforward dive with a focus on geology and the smaller creatures of the Azores.
- Location
- Azores, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 37.823600, -25.600700
- Maximum Depth
- 18m
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
Marine Protected Area: Porto das Capelas-Ponta das Calhetas
Best Time to Dive in Azores
The warmest water temperatures in Azores occur in January, averaging 16.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 16.8°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 16.8°C (air: 16.4°C)
- February: 16.8°C (air: 15.9°C)
- March: 16.8°C (air: 15.8°C)
- April: 16.8°C (air: 16.3°C)
- May: 16.8°C (air: 17.5°C)
- June: 16.8°C (air: 19.2°C)
- July: 16.8°C (air: 21.6°C)
- August: 16.8°C (air: 23.4°C)
- September: 16.8°C (air: 22.5°C)
- October: 16.8°C (air: 20.9°C)
- November: 16.8°C (air: 18.9°C)
- December: 16.8°C (air: 17.1°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Azores
- 3 Houses - 22m
- ANSA 9 - 2m (wreck)
- AQUÁRIO - 22m
- Arco do Cavaco - 18m (cave)
- Arcos Cruzeiro - 25m (cave)
- Arcos da caloura - 17m
- Arena - 19m
- ARNEL - 5m (wreck)
- Baia de Sao Pedro - 9m (reef)
- Baixa do Espelho - 21m
- BAIXA DO OURO - 20m
- Biscoitos Cavern 1, 2, 3 - 19m (cave)
- Biscoitos Gate - 19m
- BURACO S. PEDRO - 17m (cave)
- CABEÇOS ILHÉU MOSTEIROS - 29m
Nearest Dive Centres to Arcos dal Calhetas
Marine Life in Azores
Home to 229 recorded species including 153 reef fish, 23 whales & dolphins, 18 sharks & rays, 11 other, 7 seagrass & algae, 4 hard corals.
Notable Species
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) - Whales & Dolphins
- Stripy (Katsuwonus pelamis) - Reef Fish
- Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) - Whales & Dolphins
- Grey Dolphin (Grampus griseus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) - Reef Fish
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Razorback (Balaenoptera physalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) - Reef Fish
- Scad (Trachurus picturatus) - Reef Fish
- Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
- Blackfish (Globicephala macrorhynchus) - Whales & Dolphins
- blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Coalfish Whale (Balaenoptera borealis) - Whales & Dolphins
- Gunner (Pagellus bogaraveo) - Reef Fish
- False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) - Whales & Dolphins
- Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) - Reef Fish
- Bogue (Boops boops) - Reef Fish
- Ornate Wrasse (Thalassoma pavo) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Arcos dal Calhetas
Based on average water temperature of 16.8°C.
- Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 17°C water
- Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories