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Baixa da Feteira

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

Description

Access 

Boat

30 min from the Horta Harbour

Depth

Average Depth 
20m
Maximum Depth 
32m
Currents 
Moderate
Strong
Dive Types 
Coastal Reef
Seamount
Ideal place for 
Underwater photography
Diving Experience 
Advanced Open Water

Baixa da Feteira

Despite the top of the Baixa da Feteira (Feteira Reef) being only 12 metres deep, this dive is only recommended for experienced divers as it is just half a mile from the coast in an area exposed to currents. It also has a maximum depth of 32 metres.

Located on the south coast of the island of Faial, close to the Feteiras Islet, the reef rises steeply from 30 to 12 metres deep, which means it is a great place to spot several pelagic species such as Atlantic bonitos (Sarda sarda) and yellowmouth barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis).

 On the south side you reach the deepest part of the dive at 32 metres, where the seafloor is covered with large stretches of black coral (Antipathella wollastoni) and European fan worms (Sabella spallanzanii). This is the ideal place to spot the resident and affable dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus). The north side of the reef is less deep, dropping to just 24 metres. It gives way to a landscape of large blocks of rock, each full of different species. These include blacktail combers (Serranus atricauda), surmullets (Mullus surmuletus) and common eagle rays (Myliobatis aquila).