Reefwander

Azores · Portugal · Reef

Arcadas do Judeu

Arches through an uncommon prismatic rock formation

Arcadas do Judeu is a shallow Terceira dive among arches cut in an uncommon prismatic rock formation. The bottom stays within 16 m and any current is weak and occasional, so the site suits newly certified divers.

0

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Arcadas do Judeu: typical dive to 16 m (to 52 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit16 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

No published position for this site — the map shows Azores and its other sites; operators know the mooring.

The dive

The dive winds through a set of arches in a prismatic rock formation that is uncommon in these waters, never going deeper than 16 m. Resident fish hold around the rock, and a current is felt only occasionally, and then it is weak.

Marine life and season

The sources we used don't single out particular species here.

Month-by-month season rating for Arcadas do Judeu
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
GoodGoodFairFairFairPrimePrimePrimePrimeGoodGoodGood

Season follows Azores: June to September is the best time to dive; August to October has the clearest water, and spring nutrients turn it green.

Dive videos

Arcadas do Judeu · Nuno Machado on YouTube

Sources

  1. Mergulhos Costeiros — Terceira Adventures
  2. Mergulho — Terceira Adventures

More dive sites in Azores

Reef

Volcanic rock reef minutes from the Praia da Vitória marina

to 12 mbeginner

Artificial reef

Four centuries of ships' anchors scattered across Angra bay

to 25 mintermediate

Cave & cavern

Three chambers, from a shrimp cave to a funnel

to 17 madvanced

Caverns and dusky groupers at bare islets in open ocean

to 30 madvanced

Wreck

An 1878 steamer wreck reached by an easy entry from land

to 10 mbeginner

Similar dives elsewhere

Reef

Alcatraz

Boa Vista · Cabo Verde

Islet rocks full of parrotfish, with groupers and turtles deeper

7–16 mbeginner

Reef

An Auter

Belle-Île-en-Mer & Quiberon · France

Labyrinths, overhangs and canyons in one shallow rock dive

5–18 mbeginner

Reef

Âncoras

Algarve · Portugal

Anchors from three centuries jammed in the rock

to 17 mintermediate

Reef

Arcos da Caloura

Azores · Portugal

Four rock arches at 16 metres in a sheltered bay

5–20 mintermediate