Santa Iria

A protected bay on São Miguel’s north coast — volcanic lava reef with a no-fishing designation.

Overview

Santa Iria is a bay on the north coast of São Miguel near Rabo de Peixe, designated as a no-fishing area. The bay features a sheltered lagoon with a narrow inlet from the sea, with one side comprising a lava flow and the other reinforced with large boulders. The volcanic underwater landscape — lava reef and rocky seafloor — is typical of the Azores north coast. The protected status supports higher fish densities than surrounding areas. North coast visibility is variable and generally lower than the south coast.

Site Information

• Location: North coast, São Miguel, Azores (near Rabo de Peixe)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 5–15 meters (variable, north coast)
• Current: Light inside bay
• Best Time: June to October

Marine Life

No site-specific marine life records found. The rocky lava reef and no-fishing protection support typical Azorean species including groupers, wrasse, octopus, and moray eels. Regional species data should not be attributed specifically to this site.

Tips and Recommendations

• No-fishing protected area — healthier fish populations than surrounding areas
• Volcanic lava reef landscape typical of the Azores
• North coast visibility can be limited — check sea conditions before diving
• Also used as a snorkelling destination