Diving in Azores

Green Sea Turtle

General species description, not specific to this destination

The largest hard-shelled sea turtle. Often seen resting on sandy bottoms.

Hawksbill Turtle

General species description, not specific to this destination

Commonly seen on Caribbean reefs, where they feed primarily on sponges.

Loggerhead Turtle

Destination note

Regularly sighted at Formigas, Dollabarat, and other offshore banks from July to October

Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin

Destination note

Year-round resident; frequently encountered during all seasons

Cory's Shearwater

General species description, not specific to this destination

Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris borealis) is a marine species found in various oceanic habitats. It plays an important role in the ecosystem. Further details are being researched.

Deep-sea Anglerfish

General species description, not specific to this destination

A deep-sea fish with a globular body, large mouth lined with sharp teeth, and a distinctive bioluminescent lure (esca) extending from the head on a modified dorsal spine. Females grow much larger and are the dominant hunters. Males are small, parasitic and fuse permanently to the female for reproduction.

Humpback Anglerfish

General species description, not specific to this destination

The humpback anglerfish is a deep-sea anglerfish known for its distinctive illicium (fishing rod) and esca (lure) used to attract prey in the dark depths. It has a large mouth with sharp teeth and a soft, pliable body.

Short-snouted Seahorse

General species description, not specific to this destination

A marine species with typical characteristics for its taxonomic group. Found in various marine habitats.

Bluntnose Sixgill Shark

General species description, not specific to this destination

A large, primitive shark with six gill slits on each side instead of the usual five found in modern sharks. Has a broad, blunt snout, a single dorsal fin set far back, and a long tail. Coloration is grey to olive-brown. One of the largest predatory sharks, reaching up to 5 meters. Makes vertical migrations at night.

Spiny Butterfly Ray

General species description, not specific to this destination

A marine species with typical characteristics for its taxonomic group. Found in various marine habitats.

Crested Oarfish

General species description, not specific to this destination

An elongated, ribbon-like fish with a distinctive red crest or mane of fin rays on the head. The body is silvery with dark spots or bars running along the sides. Highly compressed laterally with large eyes adapted for dim mesopelagic waters. Rarely encountered by divers as it inhabits deeper waters.

Black Scabbardfish

General species description, not specific to this destination

A deep-water pelagic fish with an elongated, eel-like body and a pointed snout. The body is blackish with a silvery sheen, and the teeth are large and fang-like. Reaches up to 1.3 m in length. Found at depths of 300-1500 m on the continental slope. It feeds on fish and squid. Rarely seen by divers except on very deep dives or when caught by deep-line fisheries. The species is commercially important in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.