Dive site · access from Azores
Baixa do Ambrósio
A marine reserve reef off Santa Maria where dozens of sicklefin devil rays gather each summer, schools sometimes topping 50 animals.
- Depth
- 5–40m
- Current
- Strong
- Minimum level
- Advanced open water
- Access
- Boat
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The case for it
Why dive here
- One of the world's most reliable summer sicklefin devil-ray aggregations
- Only ~3 miles off Santa Maria — much shorter run than Princess Alice
- Shallow enough for confident snorkellers in calm conditions
Check before booking
What may rule it out
- Advanced open water certification is the stated minimum.
Access and timing
Plan this through Azores
Best overall months: Jul, Aug, Sep. Check the destination planner for operating season, wildlife and other matching sites.
Wildlife
Seen around Azores
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed
These are destination-level records, not confirmed sightings at Baixa do Ambrósio.
Blue shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | destination closed |
| February | destination closed |
| March | destination closed |
| April | destination closed |
| May | destination closed |
| June | rare |
| July | peak season |
| August | peak season |
| September | peak season |
| October | peak season |
| November | destination closed |
| December | destination closed |
Sicklefin devil ray
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | destination closed |
| February | destination closed |
| March | destination closed |
| April | destination closed |
| May | destination closed |
| June | peak season |
| July | peak season |
| August | peak season |
| September | peak season |
| October | peak season |
| November | destination closed |
| December | destination closed |
Whale shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | destination closed |
| February | destination closed |
| March | destination closed |
| April | destination closed |
| May | destination closed |
| June | rare |
| July | rare |
| August | rare |
| September | rare |
| October | rare |
| November | destination closed |
| December | destination closed |
Common dolphin
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | destination closed |
| February | destination closed |
| March | destination closed |
| April | destination closed |
| May | destination closed |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | destination closed |
| December | destination closed |
Ocean sunfish (mola)
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | destination closed |
| February | destination closed |
| March | destination closed |
| April | destination closed |
| May | destination closed |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | destination closed |
| December | destination closed |
Nearby alternatives
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Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 2 sources and checking notes
- Baixa do Ambrósio Dive Site in Santa Maria, Azores Scuba Diving
- Baixa do Ambrósio, Azores Tourism Portal
Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate; not surveyed dive-site GPS.