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Azores · Portugal · Wall · Reef

Ilhéu do Garajau

A reef wall that splits the islet into a sheltered side and an exposed one

Ilhéu do Garajau is a small islet about 400 m off the east coast of Flores whose name means island of the terns. A reef running from its west side forms a wall between the north and south sides, so one side always offers shelter from the current, and the site suits divers of every level.

Also known as Garajau, Tern Islet.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Ilhéu do Garajau: typical dive to 30 m (to 100 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit30 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

39.4848° N, 31.1456° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.

The dive

The dive starts at the wall of the small islet and follows the reef that runs out from its west side, dividing the north face from the south face. Divers pick the side sheltered from the current on the day. Along the wall the depth quickly increases to 30 m, where large moray eels and curious dusky groupers move among clouds of Azores chromis, blue jack mackerel and schools of grey triggerfish.

Marine life and season

  • Groupers
Month-by-month season rating for Ilhéu do Garajau
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FairFairFairFairFairPrimePrimePrimePrimeGoodFairFair

Season follows Azores: June to September is the best time to dive; the clearest water lasts into October, spring water turns green, and in winter the Corvo ferry sails only when the weather allows.

Sources

  1. Ilhéu do Garajau — Visit Azores
  2. Ilhéu do Garajau — byAçores
  3. Getting outside on Flores — Scuba Diver Life
  4. Ilhéu do Garajau (OpenStreetMap) — OpenStreetMap contributors

More dive sites in Azores

Pelagic & blue water

Baixa do Amigo

Almaco jacks and barracuda hunting clouds of blue jack mackerel

15–25 m · max 40 mintermediate

Pinnacle

Baixa do Morro

A drowned volcanic cone rising to within 6 m of the surface

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Caneiro dos Meros

More than a dozen dusky groupers around divers at once

to 40 m · max 45 madvanced

Cave & cavern

Gruta do Galo

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12–25 mbeginner

Pinnacle

Moldinho

A Corvo reef rising from deep water almost to the surface

4–45 madvanced

Wall

Ponta da Caveira

Lava-tube caves hiding conger eels and moray eels

to 17 m · max 25 mbeginner

Similar dives elsewhere

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