Azores · Portugal · Pelagic & blue water · Seamount
Baixa do Ambrósio
Hundreds of sicklefin devil rays spiralling up a buoy line
Baixa do Ambrósio is a protected seamount off Santa Maria whose peak lies far below the surface. In summer, sicklefin devil rays gather over it in groups of up to hundreds, and divers hang in open water near the surface to watch them circle.
Also known as Ambrósio, Ambrosio, Baixa do Ambrosio.
Where it is and how deep
37.0685° N, 25.1765° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
Dive boats tie up to a set of buoys permanently anchored over the seamount. The manta action typically happens between 5 and 15 m: sicklefin devil rays (Mobula tarapacana), in groups of up to hundreds, spiral around the seamount and move up toward the buoy at the surface. Dive time is limited to 60 minutes.
The peak of the seamount sits at 42 m and its deeper sections reach 46 m, where moderate to strong currents run; those depths are for experienced divers only.
Marine life and season
- Mobula rays
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-season | Off-season | Off-season | Off-season | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Off-season | Off-season |
Season follows Azores: Mobulas are around on more than 90% of dives from July to October, when the water is above about 22 °C.
Know before you go
- The seamount's peak lies at 42 m, so the dive is spent in open blue water with no bottom in reach.
- The deeper sections to 46 m have moderate to strong currents.
Dive videos
🐟 ¡14 MANTAS RODEÁNDONOS EN EL AZUL! 🌊🇵🇹 | Baixa de Ambrosio | Santa María de Azores | 20-07-2014 🤿 · Producciones Maldisub on YouTube
Questions divers ask
When are the mobula rays at Baixa do Ambrósio?+
From July to October, when the water is above about 22 °C, mobulas turn up on more than 90% of dives, usually between 5 and 15 m.
Sources
- Baixa do Ambrósio - ScubaGo — ScubaGo
- Mantamaria Dive Center — cursosdebuceo.com
- Azores Santa Maria - X-Ray Mag — X-Ray Mag
- Diving area - Wahoo Diving — Wahoo Diving
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