Azores · Portugal · Reef · Pelagic & blue water
Ilhéu do Topo
Pelagic schools at 20 m on the current-swept tip of São Jorge
Photo: José Luís Ávila Silveira/Pedro Noronha e Costa · Public domain
Ilhéu do Topo is a 20-hectare islet off the eastern tip of São Jorge, only 100 m from the coast. Sitting right on the tip of the island, it is often affected by strong currents, and schools of barracuda, bonito and jacks are regular visitors.
Also known as Topo Islet, Ilhéu do Topo Sul.
Where it is and how deep
38.5511° N, 27.7466° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive runs at a moderate depth, between 5 and 22 m, near the islet. Near and to the south of it a soft slope lies at 5 to 10 m, with moray eels, Mediterranean rainbow wrasse, ornate wrasse, Azores chromis, Canary damsels and common octopus. At about 20 m the water opens into the best territory for large schools: yellowmouth barracuda, Atlantic bonito, white trevally, bluefish and Almaco jacks are regular visitors here, with dusky groupers, barred hogfish and island groupers near the bottom.
Marine life and season
- Barracuda
- Trevally & jacks
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Azores: June to September is the best time to dive; the clearest water runs from August into October, and in spring visibility drops to an average of 10–15 m.
Know before you go
- Often affected by strong currents because the islet sits right on the tip of São Jorge.
Questions divers ask
Why does Ilhéu do Topo take so long to reach by boat?+
Boats leave from Velas harbour, 25 miles (40 km) away, so the trip takes 75 minutes even though the islet is 100 m from the coast.
Sources
- Ilhéu do Topo - Sul — Visit Azores
Photo credits
- A flat, low islet ringed by surf lies just off a green coast with fields, houses and a red-topped white lighthouse. by José Luís Ávila Silveira/Pedro Noronha e Costa, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
More dive sites in Azores
Reef
Black coral on a second reef north of the Ponta da Barca lighthouse
Almaco jacks and yellowmouth barracuda schooling over an offshore reef top
Wall
Eagle rays resting on the sand at the foot of a sheltered islet wall
Cave & cavern
Resident dusky groupers in the caves of a lava-flow seabed
Similar dives elsewhere
Amphitheatre reef in the underwater park, 10–24 m
A shore-parallel reef with angel sharks on the sand in winter
Volcanic caves and coral blocks inside 18 metres
Big sheltering rocks between 13 m and 20 m