Formigas Bank

About this site

Formigas (Ants) is a tiny, remote islet east of Santa Maria in the Azores surrounded by a broad rocky bank rising from 300 m to just 17 m below the surface. Between April and October the bank is reliably visited by whale sharks attracted by the summer plankton blooms, alongside large schools of amberjack, barracuda, and hammerheads. The Azorean sea temperature at 20–23°C and Atlantic clarity combine to make this one of Europe's finest open-ocean dive experiences.

Best months to dive

Known hazards

Marine life