Baixo do Sul
Azores — Faial and Pico · Portugal
A submerged volcanic plateau off the southwestern coast of Pico, Baixo do Sul is swept by North Atlantic current bringing exceptional cold-water biodiversity to its encrusted basalt shelves. Red gorgonians, black coral trees and barrel sponges create a rich three-dimensional reef structure unlike anything in tropical diving. Manta rays visit from late summer through autumn, and large schools of barracuda and jack hold station above the plateau against the current.
Conditions
Depth
15 to 45 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
5mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 16 |
| Vis (m) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 15 |
| Current | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Strong | Strong |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Madeira Lizard
Last confirmed Jun 27, 2026 · 74 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Azores Chaffinch
Last confirmed Jul 5, 2026 · 45 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Cory'S Shearwater
Last confirmed Jun 17, 2026 · 46 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
East Atlantic Sally Lightfoot Crab
Last confirmed Jun 10, 2026 · 58 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Canary damselfish
Last confirmed Apr 17, 2026 · 10 records
Very likely
Most dives
Black coral
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Atlantic horse mackerel
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Giant manta ray
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Gear