princess alice bank
38.4047°N 29.9476°W · pinnacle
princess alice bank
One of the world’s best seamount dives — massive aggregations of mobula rays, giant mantas, and Galapagos sharks 45–50 nautical miles from land.
Overview
Princess Alice Bank is consistently ranked among the world’s best seamount dives and is the most famous dive site in the Azores. The seamount rises from over 2,500 metres of open Atlantic to its shallowest point; sources report the least depth at the western peak as 29 metres (Wikipedia) to 35 metres (CW Azores, dive.visitazores.com), with an average diving depth around 35 metres and the surrounding platform dropping to 60 metres. Visibility commonly reaches 30–40 metres.
The site is renowned for massive aggregations of mobula rays (Mobula tarapacana) that form ‘carousels’ of golden wingtips during summer. Giant manta rays and Galapagos sharks are also regularly encountered. Most diving is done while descending the mooring line, where mobulas frequently approach within metres. The 2.5–3 hour boat ride from Pico or Faial is an expedition; the crossing often yields whale, dolphin, turtle, and seabird sightings. Most operators require a minimum of 50 logged dives, a check dive, and Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent.
Site Information
- Location: Open Atlantic, 45–50 NM from Pico/Faial, Azores
- Entry Type: Boat dive
- Site Type: Pinnacle/seamount
- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Maximum Depth: 35 meters
- Typical Visibility: 20–40 meters
- Current: Moderate to strong
- Best Time: July to September (mobula aggregations)
Marine Life
Mobula rays (Mobula tarapacana) in large summer aggregations — the primary draw. Giant manta rays, Galapagos sharks, Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda), Almaco jacks (Seriola rivoliana), greater amberjacks, triggerfish, wahoos, and large tunas have all been observed at this site. Blue sharks and occasional shortfin mako sharks are reported seasonally by some operators.
Tips and Recommendations
- July to September for the mobula ray aggregations — they form coordinated carousels and frequently approach divers at close range
- Most operators require 50+ logged dives, Advanced Open Water certification, and a check dive before the trip
- 2.5–3 hour crossing from Pico or Faial — carry seasickness medication; the journey is weather-dependent
- Currents can be several knots; buoyancy control and awareness of bottom time are essential
- Trip cancellations are common — build flexibility into your schedule
Sources: dive.visitazores.com, CW Azores, Wikipedia – Princess Alice Bank, DeeperBlue. Last updated 2026-07-17.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
145 verified species observations (54 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1997 and 2015, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Calonectris borealis
- Delphinus delphis
- Katsuwonus pelamis
- Stenella frontalis
- Thunnus obesus
- Trachurus picturatus
- Sterna
- Physeter macrocephalus
- Larus michahellis
- Tursiops truncatus
- Pagellus bogaraveo
- Helicolenus dactylopterus
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.
Conditions change with the tide and the season. If you have dived this site, share what it was actually like — date, visibility, current, and what you saw. Real, recent reports from divers are exactly what this guide is built to collect.
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