Pico Baixo

Pico Baixo is a submerged volcanic pinnacle off the south coast of Pico island, rising from 35 m to within 10 m of the surface. The topography creates acceleration corridors that concentrate pelagic fish and attract sperm whales feeding on squid in the deep water below the summit. Divers on the pinnacle encounter regular blue shark pass-bys, schools of Atlantic barracuda, and dense walls of chromis and damselfish. The base is colonised by black coral and deepwater gorgonians. This is one of the most reliable sites in the Azores for close encounters with sperm whales, which are observed resting at the surface nearby between deep foraging dives. Requires good buoyancy control due to variable surge on the pinnacle top.