Caneiro dos Meros
39.6700°N 31.1100°W · wall
Caneiro dos Meros
The only voluntary marine reserve in the Azores — the highest concentration of dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus) of any site in the archipelago.
Overview
Caneiro dos Meros (‘Dusky Grouper Passageway’) on Corvo Island is the only voluntary marine reserve in the Azores, established by agreement between local fishermen and divers more than a decade ago. Fishing is prohibited, and the result is the highest concentration of dusky groupers of any dive site in the archipelago — divers regularly encounter more than a dozen large, curious groupers simultaneously. Located about 150 metres from the coast, directly opposite the port of Vila do Corvo, and just 3 minutes by boat from the quay.
The dive follows several large lava ravines (‘caneiros’) with sandy patches at 18–25 metres. The final ravine wall drops to a sandy seafloor at 40–45 metres, where dusky groupers and barred hogfish also congregate. The sheltered position provides weak currents despite the depth requirement.
Site Information
- Location: Corvo Island, Azores (3 min by boat from Vila do Corvo quay)
- Entry Type: Boat dive
- Site Type: Wall dive
- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Maximum Depth: 45 meters
- Typical Visibility: 15–30 meters
- Current: Weak
- Best Time: June to September
Marine Life
Exceptional concentration of dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus) — the defining feature. More than a dozen large, curious groupers regularly encountered simultaneously. Barred hogfish (Bodianus scrofa) abundant at depth. A range of demersal and pelagic species not commonly seen at fished sites in the Azores thrive under the reserve’s no-take protection.
Tips and Recommendations
- Highest concentration of dusky groupers in the Azores — the groupers approach divers closely
- Only voluntary marine reserve in the Azores — created by fishermen and divers in partnership
- Only 3 minutes by boat from Vila do Corvo, but reaching Corvo itself requires planning (inter-island ferry from Flores, or small aircraft)
- Advanced Open Water required due to 45 m depth despite weak currents
Sources: dive.visitazores.com, Portugal Dive, turismo.azores.gov.pt. Last updated 2026-07-17.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
1702 verified species observations (123 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1888 and 2018, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Calonectris borealis
- Larus michahellis
- Katsuwonus pelamis
- Sterna
- Puffinus gravis
- Pagellus bogaraveo
- Delphinus delphis
- Scomber colias
- Beryx decadactylus
- Beryx splendens
- Conger conger
- Trachurus picturatus
Scientific survey records skew toward sampled taxa (molluscs, corals) and do not reflect what you are guaranteed to see on a dive.
Source: OBIS (obis.org), aggregated Darwin Core occurrence records.
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