Baixa da Vila Nova
Description
Boat
20 min from the Praia da Vitória Harbour, 1 hour from the Angra do Heroísmo Harbour
Depth
Baixa da Vila Nova
This dive is about two miles to the north of Terceira Island and can experience stronger currents, which is why it is only recommended for experienced divers.
The Baixa da Vila Nova (Vila Nova Reef) is known for its diverse scenery, offering an incredible voyage through different rock formations, including walls and large passageways (or ravines). With depths ranging between 12 and 30 metres you will also get the chance to see different species depending on the changing seafloor. Half way down you will be able to spot pelagic fish; Almaco jacks (Seriola rivoliana), sometimes Atlantic bonitos (Sarda sarda), some schools of blue jack mackerels (Trachurus picturatus), Azores chromis (Chromis limbata), and Canary damsel (Abudefduf luridus). In the rocky areas you will be able to see Mediterranean slipper lobsters (Scyllarides latus), while in the deeper areas, there will be colourful Mediterranean rainbow wrasses (Coris julis), ornate wrasses (Thalassoma pavo), barred hogfish (Pseudolepidaplois scrofa) and also schools of salema porgies (Sarpa salpa).