Azores · Portugal · Reef
Baia do Pocão
Prismatic rock columns broken up by patches of sand
Baia do Pocão is a bay on the coast of Santa Maria where prismatic rock formations rise between patches of sand. It is a shallow boat dive whose route traces the shoreline, which suits divers who are new to Azorean water.
Also known as Baia do Poço, Baía do Pocão.
Where it is and how deep
36.9469° N, 25.1689° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The route follows the shoreline of the bay over prismatic rock formations, with sandy bottoms opening between the columns of rock. The depth varies from 10 to 18 m along the way, so the whole dive stays within Open Water limits from the first fin kick to the end.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| 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: Boats run May to October; July to September is the peak at Ambrósio, and the offshore trips run regularly from June.
Questions divers ask
Is Baia do Pocão a shore dive or a boat dive?+
It is dived from a boat. The route runs along the shoreline no deeper than 18 m, so Open Water divers can make it.
Sources
- Baia do Pocão - ScubaGo — ScubaGo
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