Skip to main content

You are here

Baixa da Vila Nova

4
General Rating 
12345
Very Good
Marine Life Rating 
12345
Very Good
Seafloor/Scenery Rating 

Description

Access 

Boat

20 min from the Praia da Vitória Harbour, 1 hour from the Angra do Heroísmo Harbour

Depth

Average Depth 
20m
Maximum Depth 
30m
Currents 
Moderate
Dive Types 
Coastal Reef
Ideal place for 
Underwater photography
Diving Experience 
Advanced Open Water

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).