SOFAREIA - Azores
Sofareia is a shallow wreck, barely touching two metres, making it a perfect spot for divers looking for a relaxed exploration. What you’ll find here is a fishing boat, now broken into sections, but still with enough structure to create interesting swim-throughs and overhangs. It’s become home to various small fish and crabs, tucked into the rusty crevices. We often see blennies darting between the metal and the occasional octopus peeking out. Because of its depth, the light penetration is incredible, illuminating the wreck clearly and making it a great site for photographers or those just looking to extend their bottom time without rushing. It’s a gentle introduction to wreck diving, perfect for a slow poke.
- Location
- Azores, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 37.739723, -25.658194
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 2m
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
- 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)
Nearest Dive Centres to SOFAREIA
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 SOFAREIA
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