Formigas Islets (nature reserve)
Nature reserve – protected area with regulated access. The Formigas are a chain of rocky islets about 20 nautical miles from Santa Maria, with a shallow reef at about 8 m, a wall along the islets and reefs to the north. Reported marine life includes skipjack, bigeye tuna, wahoo, barracuda, white trevally, devil rays and giant mantas, smooth hammerhead and Galápagos sharks, island and dusky groupers. The official guide calls it a remote, exposed site recommended only for experienced divers. The position is approximate (the official guide publishes no coordinates) and is for orientation only.
Facts
- Region: Azores – East (São Miguel, Santa Maria, Formigas)
- Area: Formigas & Dollabarat (nature reserve)
- Depth: 8–60 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: strong
- Type: pinnacle, wall, reef, manta
- Coordinates: 37.27, -24.785 (approximate)
- Highlights: devil rays and giant mantas possible, smooth hammerhead and Galápagos shark, island and dusky grouper, 8 m shallow reef, wall along the islets
- Permit: Nature reserve (since 1988, Regional Reserve since 2003; Ramsar site; part of the Azores Marine Park). Fishing, collecting and disturbing the birds are prohibited, and collecting geological or archaeological material needs authorisation. We did not find a separate public permit procedure for recreational divers: dive only with a licensed local operator (Santa Maria or São Miguel) and check current rules with the operator or the Azores nature-park authority.
- Issuer / contact: Azores Regional Government – Nature Parks (Parque Natural de Santa Maria)
- Tips: Moderate to strong current; Advanced Open Water or higher. About 70 minutes from Vila do Porto, about 2 hours from Vila Franca do Campo and 2.5 hours from Ponta Delgada. Combine with Dollabarat. Do not touch or disturb animals; no souvenirs.