

Best for beginner divers, 5-24m, boat entry, mild current.
O Arco is a reef and cave site located 300 metres off the coast of Sao Miguel, Azores. The site features depths ranging from 5 to 24 metres, with an average depth of 15 metres. Divers encounter mild currents and visibility between 10 and 30 metres. The primary feature is a cave that creates an overhead environment, requiring solid buoyancy control. This site is suitable for beginners and is accessible year-round by boat. It is also well-suited for night dives. Species recorded around this area include seahorses, dusky groupers, great barracuda, Mediterranean moray, common octopus, Turkish wrasse, European parrotfish, pufferfish, black moray, scorpionfish, slipper lobster, and cow snails.
37.74440, -25.61300
The cave creates an overhead environment, so even though this is a beginner-rated site, confirm your buoyancy control is solid before entering. A torch is useful both for the cave section and for night dives, which this site handles well year-round.
Access info coming soon
Recorded nearby, within 20km
Depth
5-24m
Visibility
10-30m
Skill Level
Beginner
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
17-23°C
Current
Mild
Typical Dive
50 min
Species recorded around this area include seahorses, dusky groupers, great barracuda, Mediterranean moray, common octopus, Turkish wrasse, European parrotfish, pufferfish, black moray, scorpionfish, slipper lobster, and cow snails.
Yes, O Arco is rated for beginners due to its mild currents, though the cave section requires solid buoyancy control.
The site ranges from 5 to 24 metres in depth, with an average depth of 15 metres.
O Arco is a boat dive located 300 metres from the shore.
While the site is primarily a dive location featuring a cave at depth, the shallowest parts of the reef start at 5 metres.
Diving at O Arco in Lagoa requires the following certifications: Open Water. Always dive within your training limits.
A 5mm wetsuit is recommended for diving at O Arco in Lagoa. Water temperatures range from 17°C to 23°C.
O Arco in Lagoa typically has mild currents that most divers can handle comfortably.
Visibility at O Arco in Lagoa typically ranges from 10 metres to 30 metres. Conditions vary with weather, tides, and seasons.