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Caneiro dos Meros

Caneiro dos Meros. It’s got "meros" (groupers) right there in the name, and for good reason. This place is a classic Azorean dive, not just for the sheer size of the dusky groupers, but for the whole cave vibe. You drop down, usually to about 15 metres, and there they are. We’ve had encounters where a half-dozen large groupers just hover, checking you out. It’s not just the big fellas though. Keep your eyes peeled for yellow barracuda hanging out in the bluer water just outside the main cave, and we’ve found jewel anemones clinging to the rock walls, adding a splash of colour to the shadows. What we really love about Caneiro dos Meros is that feeling of discovery, even if you’ve been there before. Every time we visit, we find some new nook or cranny, another darkie charlie hiding. The light play in the cave can be pretty dramatic, especially on a sunny day. We’d suggest going in the morning if you can, the light seems to hit just right. It’s an intermediate dive, mainly because you’re in an overhead environment, but it’s not particularly deep or challenging current-wise. If you’re into big fish and atmospheric caves, this one’s a standout.