Shark
Shortfin mako shark
Isurus oxyrinchus
IUCN status: EndangeredWidely sought
The fastest shark in the ocean, stocky and metallic blue. Makos turn up far less predictably than blue sharks at the Azores bait dives, and are more skittish when they do.
- Max size
- Up to ~4m
- Habitat
- Open ocean; occasionally joins blue sharks at Azores bait dives in summer
Best places to dive with Shortfin mako shark
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak season
Azores
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Genuinely occasional — a bonus rather than a reason to book. Same summer window as the blue sharks.
Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.
- Blue Sharks in the Azores — X-Ray Mag
- Epic Pelagic Action Awaits Divers in the Azores — Scuba Diving Magazine