Dive site · access from Azores

Princess Alice Bank

The signature Azores dive.

Depth
8–40m
Current
Strong
Minimum level
Advanced open water
Access
Boat
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The case for it

Why dive here

  • Offshore pinnacle rising from 2,000m+ to a peak around 35m, ~45 miles SW of Faial
  • Summer carousels of sicklefin devil rays, often 20–40 animals
  • Blue water in current — long crossing, weather cancels trips often

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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.

Open the trip planner

Wildlife

Seen around Azores

rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed

These are destination-level records, not confirmed sightings at Princess Alice Bank.

Blue shark
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januarydestination closed
Februarydestination closed
Marchdestination closed
Aprildestination closed
Maydestination closed
Junerare
Julypeak season
Augustpeak season
Septemberpeak season
Octoberpeak season
Novemberdestination closed
Decemberdestination closed
Sicklefin devil ray
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januarydestination closed
Februarydestination closed
Marchdestination closed
Aprildestination closed
Maydestination closed
Junepeak season
Julypeak season
Augustpeak season
Septemberpeak season
Octoberpeak season
Novemberdestination closed
Decemberdestination closed
Whale shark
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januarydestination closed
Februarydestination closed
Marchdestination closed
Aprildestination closed
Maydestination closed
Junerare
Julyrare
Augustrare
Septemberrare
Octoberrare
Novemberdestination closed
Decemberdestination closed
Common dolphin
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januarydestination closed
Februarydestination closed
Marchdestination closed
Aprildestination closed
Maydestination closed
Junecommonly seen
Julycommonly seen
Augustcommonly seen
Septembercommonly seen
Octobercommonly seen
Novemberdestination closed
Decemberdestination closed
Ocean sunfish (mola)
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januarydestination closed
Februarydestination closed
Marchdestination closed
Aprildestination closed
Maydestination closed
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberdestination closed
Decemberdestination closed
See the destination wildlife guide

Nearby alternatives

Compare another site

Condor Bank5–40m · Strong · Advanced open waterMonte da Guia6–25m · Mild · Open waterBaixa da Barca10–30m · Moderate · Advanced open waterBaixa do Ambrósio5–40m · Strong · Advanced open water

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

Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate; not surveyed dive-site GPS.