Haliotis - Santa Maria Diving Center - Azores
The team at Haliotis - Santa Maria Diving Center really know their stuff, which is what we love most about them. They’re based right on the island’s main port, which makes getting out to those amazing offshore sites like the Ambrósio Bank a breeze. If you're coming to the Azores specifically for the big pelagics and the sheer drama of diving in the open ocean, Haliotis is our pick. They run a tight ship, but it always feels relaxed. We’ve found their PADI instructors are particularly good at getting less experienced divers comfortable with the idea of being far from shore, which is crucial here. They specialise in trips to the seamounts and offshore banks, where the visibility can be truly immense – sometimes 40 metres, just a shimmering blue all around you. You’ll be looking for mobulas, devil rays, and sometimes even a whale shark cruising by. Our favourite time to dive with them is late summer, when the water temperature is at its warmest and the big animal action is usually peaking. Just be prepared for potential strong currents; it’s part of the thrill, but definitely something to be aware of. They’re excellent at briefing you on what to expect.
- Location
- Azores, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 36.968887, -25.136934
- Phone
- +351 913 848 357
- [email protected]
- Website
- https://haliotis.pt/en/centros/santa-maria
- Certification Agencies
- ["PADI"]
- Courses
- PADI Dive Center [padi:23736]
- Address
- Rua Cruz Teixeira, Hotel Colombo, 9580-473 Vila Do Porto, Portugal
Dive Sites Near Haliotis - Santa Maria Diving Center
Haliotis - Santa Maria Diving Center provides access to 15 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
- Arcos dal Calhetas - 18m
- 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)
Other Dive Centres in Azores
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)
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 Marine Life
- 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
Recommended Packing List for Azores
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