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138 km away as the crow flies
Terceira · Azores · Atlantic
Max. depth · 40 mBoca das Caldeirinhas, Terceira: Volcanic Walls and Craters
Descend into the heart of a submerged volcanic crater at Boca das Caldeirinhas, exploring a wall that drops from shallow plateaus to over 40 metres.
What makes this site special
- Explore a terraced volcanic wall to over 40 metres.
- Navigate an underwater volcanic crater.
- Discover canyons and crevices within the rock.
- Encounter large brown groupers and moray eels.
- Observe barracudas and schools of bream.
- Find black coral in deeper sections of the wall.
Boca das Caldeirinhas about the site
Boca das Caldeirinhas presents a volcanic dive, starting with a shallow plateau at 6 metres before dropping along a terraced wall that extends beyond 40 metres. The topography is defined by its volcanic origins, featuring distinct steps that create ledges and overhangs as you descend. This wall structure provides shelter and a varied substrate, supporting a dense community of marine organisms within its varied depths.
The site encompasses an underwater crater, which is a key feature shaping the dive profile. As you explore, you will encounter a series of canyons and crevices carved into the volcanic rock. These formations offer intricate pathways and hiding spots, making the dive dynamic and providing diverse habitats for resident species. Navigating these structures requires attention to buoyancy and trim.
Within the crevices and along the wall, you will find prolific marine life. Keep an eye out for large brown groupers (Epinephelus marginatus) often resting in the deeper sections or patrolling the ledges. Moray eels (Muraena helena) are common residents, often seen in rock fissures. Schools of barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis) may be present in the blue, while bream and damselfish populate the shallower areas.
Boca das Caldeirinhas is also notable for the presence of black coral (Antipathes subpinnata), which thrives in deeper, darker sections of the wall. This site is known to host a cleaning station frequented by parrotfish, offering an opportunity to observe their symbiotic behaviour up close. The interaction at these stations highlights the ecological dynamics of the site, providing insight into the daily life of the reef inhabitants.
Diving Boca das Caldeirinhas: the marine life you’ll meet
Sea breamSparidaeDamselfishPomacentridaeParrotfishCalotomusMoray eelMuraenidaeBlack coralAntipatharia
Diving conditions
This is an advanced dive, with depths reaching up to 40 metres. You should have experience managing varied topography and potential currents. Visibility typically ranges between 20 and 30 metres. The best period for diving here aligns with the general Azores season, from July through September.
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Frequently asked questions about Boca das Caldeirinhas
When should you dive Boca das Caldeirinhas?
You should plan Boca das Caldeirinhas from July through September, matching the general Azores diving season. During this period, the site offers its volcanic wall, crater, canyons, and crevices, with visibility typically ranging between 20 and 30 metres. These conditions frame your exploration of the underwater terrain and resident marine life.
What experience level do you need for Boca das Caldeirinhas?
Boca das Caldeirinhas is an advanced dive. You should have experience managing varied volcanic topography and potential currents. The site includes terraced ledges, overhangs, canyons, crevices, and an underwater crater. Careful attention to buoyancy and trim is important as you navigate these structures and their changing underwater pathways.
How deep is Boca das Caldeirinhas, and what currents should you expect?
At Boca das Caldeirinhas, you begin on a shallow plateau at 6 metres before descending along a terraced volcanic wall extending beyond 40 metres. You should be prepared for potential currents while managing the varied topography. The depth profile includes ledges, overhangs, canyons, crevices, and an underwater crater.
What can you see at Boca das Caldeirinhas?
At Boca das Caldeirinhas, you can encounter large brown groupers along deeper sections and ledges, moray eels in rock fissures, barracudas in the blue, and schools of bream in shallower areas. You may also find black coral on deeper, darker wall sections and observe parrotfish using a cleaning station.
