Banco João Lopes

Banco João Lopes

Located on the north coast of the island of Santa Maria, approximately one nautical mile northwest of Anjos, the Banco João Lopes (João Lopes Bank) consists of a 14 metre reef with a seafloor that drops to a depth of 40 metres. Since it is relatively far from the coast, it sometimes features moderate to strong currents. Coupled with the high depths around the reef, this makes the site ideal for more experienced divers.

At the top of the reef divers can spot Mediterranean rainbow wrasses (Coris julis), ornate wrasses (Thalassoma pavo), schools of salema porgies (Sarpa salpa) and curious blacktail combers (Serranus atricauda). The reef features steep slopes and vertical walls, along with some platforms at a depth of 20 metres, providing the perfect environment for pelagic fish such as Almaco jacks (Seriola rivoliana), yellowmouth barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis) and large dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus). These huge fish are usually spotted along the vertical wall near the seafloor, where you may also find groups of devil rays (Mobula tarapacana).