Gigante Seamount
Dive site
Gigante Seamount rises to within 90 m of the surface southeast of São Miguel and functions as a mid-water waystation for pelagic sharks tracking the Atlantic ridge. Blue sharks are present year-round but densities peak in summer when the thermocline lifts prey into the upper water column. Mako sharks make regular passes along the eastern edge of the summit plateau, and pods of common dolphins use the upwelling to herd sardine and mackerel into tight bait balls that attract larger predators. The summit itself is encrusted with deep-water black coral and sea fans at depth.
Conditions
Depth
30 to 80 m
Advanced depths
Current
Can be moderate
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
20 to 35 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
15 to 25°C
5mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 16 |
| Vis (m) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Current | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Gentle | Gentle | Moderate | Moderate | Strong | Strong |
Field journal
No sightings recorded here yet.
Upload the first sightingDived here recently?
Your sighting helps us track reef health at this site in real time.
Submit a sightingPlanning to dive Gigante Seamount?
Your underwater photos help scientists track reef health here in real time.
What to photograph: fish and marine life, coral (especially anything pale or unusual), anything unexpected.
How to capture it: shoot JPEG, keep location on, note your depth and the date.
Dived Gigante Seamount recently?
Your photos help track reef health.
Up to 10 photos · JPEG or PNG · max 20 MB each
📷
Drag photos here, or tap to select
GPS in your photo will auto-detect the dive site
Gear