Azores · Portugal · Wall · Reef
Calçada do Gigante
A wall of vertical rock prisms like an underwater causeway
Calçada do Gigante, the Giant's Causeway, has a seabed of vertical rock prisms that form a wall off Santa Maria. The current is usually light, and shoals of triggerfish and groupers gather along the columns.
Also known as Calçada de Giante, Calcada do Gigante, Giant's Causeway.
Where it is and how deep
36.9653° N, 25.1862° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive is built around the prismatic wall, whose vertical prisms are the most distinctive feature of the bottom. It runs between 15 and 30 m, and the average depth usually stays over 20 m. Shoals of triggerfish are common along the prisms, as are shoals of groupers, and the current is generally little.
Marine life and season
- Groupers
- Reef fish swarms
| 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.
Dive videos
Mergulho Ilha de Santa Maria Calçada do Gigante 05/10/2021 · Nuno Pedro on YouTube
Questions divers ask
What certification does Calçada do Gigante need?+
PADI Advanced Open Water is recommended: the current is light, but the average depth is usually over 20 m and the wall reaches 30 m.
Sources
- Calçada do Gigante - ScubaGo — ScubaGo
- Santa Maria dive sites - Haliotis — Haliotis
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