WHERE WE ARE

OUR SETUP

Vessels

MANTA: 7.10 m, semi-rigid, 2x SUZUKI 90 HP, 14 persons

RILUSA: 7.10 m, fiber glass, VOLVO PENTA 150 HP, 8 persons

BADEJO: 8.00 M, semi-rigid, HONDA 225 HP, 20 persons

B-Trox Filling Station

This modern BAUER Pure Air certified filling station offers

complete safety of operation and exceptional air quality with up

to 40% oxygen enriched air (Nitrox).

Diving Equipment

Steel tanks: 15 liters, 12 liters, 7 liters

12 complete diving equipments

2 oxygen emergency kits

Rebreather friendly conditions

Oxygen, Helium and Trimix available; Booster pump for O2 and for He;

O2 Analizer; Consumables and reserve parts for rebreather Poseidon MK VI;

3, 7 liter Bail-outs; Diverse material of transfill;

Transport

Van with 9 places.

WHAT WE OFFER

Diving

In addition to the guided diving tours, we offer PADI, SSI and

CMAS training and we are also a TDI Facility “rebreather friendly”

- Poseidon MK6 Discovery Dive Center.

And more...

We also offer other activities in nature combining adventure

and the discovery of heritage and local culture – Boat Tours,

Walking Trails and Traditional Tuna Fishing.

DIVING

Island of Santa Maria

There are a number of different types of dive around the island

of Santa Maria. This is directly related to the diverse geologic

formations of the Azorean archipelago – caves, tunnels and sand

bottoms around the coast, in low lying areas close to the coast

or in submarine mounts or peaks further from the coast.

Of note, the “Baixa do Ambrósio” where there is a yearly

concentration of Devil rays unlike any other place in the world,

is a sure bet.

Natural Reserve Formigas and Dollabart

Considered by many as one of the best diving location in Europe,

the reserve is located 20 miles Northeast off the island of Santa

Maria in “open sea”. A vast number of subaquatic species may

be observed here. It should be noted that the highest number of

sightings of the pelagic species takes place in this area of the

archipelago.

DIVING

Devil rays and whale sharks, the signature species of the island, are living proof of the diversity of marine life in our dive spots.

All photos taken by our clients.

Big Thank You!

DIVE SITES

DIVE SITES

BAIXA DA MAIA (Marine Reserve) Location:

East of the Island

Distance to marina: +/- 5 mn

Depth: 0 - 24 m

Description: This dive takes place around a small islet that goes down to 18-

24 m deep. The islet is surrounded by small “boulders” where we circle

unveiling the marine life. On the south side there is a small lava tunnel, an

easy passage where usually we can find nudibranchs. The surf generated at

the surface attracts small fish providing very beautiful images. Sometimes

this dive spot has strong currents therefore the dive must be planned

according to the tide.

Fauna: Greater amberjack, barracuda, sea bass, sea bream, red mullet,

parrotfish moray eels, groupers and turtles. On the east wall of the island

there is a beautiful yellow carpet of Parazoanthus axinelae.

PEDRINHA (Marine Reserve) Location:

South of the island

Distance to marina: +/- 4 mn

Depth: 7 - 32 m

Description: It’s a dive that takes place around a main pinnacle, which has a

large crack across its width, and several other pinnacles all linked by a

“plateaux” ranging from 14 to 18m deep. Throughout the dive we pass

through two galleries which are easy to cross and that offer a very beautiful

scenery. It’s full of life!

Fauna: In this place we can find barracuda, greater amberjack, grouper, sea

bass, eagle rays, guelly jack, grey triggerfish, moray eels, you may see small

and abundant marine life.

DIVE SITES

BAIXA DO AMBRÓSIO (Marine Reserve)

Location: Northwest side of the island

Distance to marina: +/- 9 mn

Depth: 0 - 45 m

Description: This dive is our “crown jewel”, a dive of excellence worldwide.

It’s a spot where every year, from late June to early October, a huge

concentration of devil rays (mobula tarapacana) takes place. The bottom is

at 45m depth, therefore it can be considered a dive in the blue. Is carried

out with a reference line where divers hold to in order to remain safe while

watching the devil rays. It should be noted that 65 devil rays have already

been seen in one dive! Another attraction are the Cory (seabirds) in pursuit

of the bait balls, they can reach 15m deep!

Fauna: Devil rays, skipjacktuna, barracuda, greater amberjack, bluefish,

wahoos...

NATURAL RESERVE OF FORMIGAS AND DOLLABARAT

Location: 20 miles northeast of the island of Santa Maria

Description: Due to our close location to the Natural Reserve of Formigas

and Dollabarat, considered by many as the best diving location in Europe, is

our featured diving spot par excellence.

The islets of Formigas consist of 8 low lying rocks that rise above the water

surface that feature a light house. Around the rocks there are various diving

locations, the most sought out being the shipwreck “Olympia” on the

Southwestern side and an area with cracks and high gradients on the

Southeastern side.

Approximately three miles to the Southeast, the submarine mount

Dollabarat rises to about five meters below sea level. It is visible through an

intense blue turquoise resulting from its spectacular rock formation. Both

locations, situated in the “open sea”, are subject to strong currents and are

home to great depths. For this reason, diving is recommended to expert

divers and only under good atmospheric conditions.

Fauna: greater amberjack, seachub, moray eel, conger eel, dusky grouper,

island grouper, barred hogfish, black coral, etc. But, the big attraction is the

diversity of the pelagic species that pass through here – greater amberjack,

Atlantic bonito, yellow mouth barracuda, bigeye tuna, manta rays, devil

rays, wahoos and sometimes several species of sharks. It should be noted

that the highest number of sightings of the pelagic species takes place in

this area of the archipelago.

THE ISLAND

The landscaping contrasts are one of its most attractive

features. The coast is ragged, forming bays and small coves or

inlets resulting in pleasant and welcoming beaches, being the

only light coloured sandy beaches in the Azores.

One of the great contributors to the Natural Patrimony of

Santa Maria is its geological and geomorphologic aspects. It is

the only island in the Azores that hold deposits of marine

fossils.

The richness and diversity of the island of Santa Maria is

made-up of many singularities. Go forth and discover.

You will be pleasantly surprised!

MARINA DE VILA DO PORTO

9580-541 Vila do Porto, Santa Maria - Açores

Mob: + 351 918 685 447 / + 351 917 287 286 Tel.: +

351 296 882 907 • Fax: + 351 296 882 906

e-mail: info@mantamaria.com / www.mantamaria.com www.facebook.com/MantamariaDiveCenter