Ilhéu do Norte

Small seamounts rise from as deep as 50 metres toward 12, off the islet's northeast side, and the descent puts divers over a valley cut into the rock between them. A wall runs to the diver's right on the way in, opening into a gorge floored with soft coral in white, red and brown. The gorge averages about 10 metres, with a charted ceiling of 18 that at least one dive has recorded closer to 21.

Sicklefin devil rays have been seen cruising through, and a passing eagle ray has been logged separately. Schools of pelagic fish and baitfish move through the gorge, and slipper lobsters and barracuda show up on the same dive.

Ilheu do Norte carries two names. Deep Blue Azores runs the gentler, shallower valley profile most divers book. Scubazores Divers instead runs a dive here under the name Pedra Perdida, a bare rock formation quoted well past 30 metres, in an exposed, current-swept spot recommended only to experienced divers.

Confirming which of the two profiles a trip is booked for changes both the certification a diver needs and what they actually see on the dive.

The shallow gorge stays within Open Water limits; the fuller route wants AOW training. Two operators run different profiles at this islet under different names: ask whichever operator you book with which one you are actually diving, since the answer changes the certification the dive calls for.

Current runs medium to strong here and is the real limiting factor: check the day's current with your guide before assuming the deeper end of the gorge, or the Pedra Perdida formation, is on the table.