Formigas Islets
Santa Maria · Portugal
Remote pinnacle chain between São Miguel and Santa Maria. Steep walls drop into blue water hosting passing whale sharks, mobula schools, and large dusky grouper. The Dollabarat seamount nearby tops out at 5 m and pulls in pelagic action.
Conditions
Depth
10 to 40 m
Advanced depths
Current
Can be moderate
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
25 to 40 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
15 to 25°C
Temperate wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 |
| Vis (m) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Current | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Whale shark
Last confirmed Sep 15, 2025 · 8 records
Sometimes
About 1 in 3 dives
Dusky grouper
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Sicklefin devil ray
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Atlantic wreckfish
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Black Moray
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Grey Triggerfish
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Ornate Wrasse
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Yellowmouth Barracuda
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Gear