Princess Alice Bank - Azores

Princess Alice Bank, now this is a dive that sticks with you. About 50 nautical miles southwest of Faial, it’s a deep seamount, not a wreck as some think, that punches up from thousands of metres to within 30-40m of the surface. We always feel a real sense of exposure out there, just a tiny speck above the abyss, and that's precisely its allure. This is expert territory, no question. Currents can be formidable, and the boat ride out can be choppy. What makes it special? The pelagics, absolutely. We’ve had incredible encounters here, particularly with schools of mobula rays, sometimes dozens of them circling, their wingtips almost brushing you as they glide by. It’s an ethereal ballet. Blue sharks are regular visitors too, sleek and curious, often making a close pass. We always keep one eye on the deep blue, just in case a whale shark decides to cruise by. That’s the real lottery ticket here. Below 30m, the rock itself is covered in a carpet of black coral, a unique ecosystem in itself, attracting bigeye tuna and schools of scad. Our advice? Go with an operator who knows the site intimately and prioritises diver safety. And be prepared for a long safety stop, drifting in that big blue, hoping for one last glimpse of something truly wild before you surface. It's a humbling dive, reminding you just how vast and unpredictable the ocean can be.

Location
Azores, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.800000, -29.200000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
30-40m
Difficulty
Expert

Marine Protected Area: Banco PrincesaAlice

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

Nearest Dive Centres to Princess Alice Bank

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

Recommended Packing List for Princess Alice Bank

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