NBM Dive Site Resource
Baixa da Barca
Madalena, Autonomous Region of the Azores, Portugal
UNVERIFIED — The official Azores dive registry identifies Baixa da Barca as a current deep/coastal reef dive, with an average depth of 30m and a published maximum of 55m. Conditions, route and access must be reconfirmed locally.
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Historic Picture Placeholder
Aquatic life at this dive site
What divers may encounter
Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Site media
Photographs
Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Contributor media
Dive videos
Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.Published reference location
Location map
The marker shows the public coordinates associated with this profile. Confirm current access, moorings, and departure details before the dive.Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Recent field observations
Diver-reported temperatures
Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.
Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.
Why divers know this place
Highlights
The Baixa da Barca (Barca Reef) is a challenging dive reserved for the most experienced, its dizzying depths providing a home to many diverse species. The reef is one of 3 in the Pico-Faial Channel, 2 nautical miles north of the Madalena Islets Descending 20m to its shallowest peak, depending on what time of year you are diving, you can see schools of large pelagic species such as yellowmouth barracudas (Sphyraena viridensis), Almaco jacks (Seriola rivoliana) and Atlantic bonitos (Sarda sarda).
Before you arrive
Access notes
Boat 20 min do Porto da Madalena. Access is operator-, permit- and weather-dependent. The displayed coordinates are rounded locality points only—not an entry, launch, marina pickup, mooring, reef top, wreck position, cave entrance, descent point or navigation waypoint.
Plan within your training
Conditions and hazards
Open-Atlantic swell, changing visibility, surge and surface traffic are possible. Dive only with a current local operator and abort when conditions exceed training or the briefing. Moderate to strong current is documented; use appropriate drift/current procedures, surface signalling, live-boat support and conservative gas planning. Deeper routes require certification, gas planning, ascent discipline and decompression awareness; do not exceed personal or agency limits.
At the site
Facilities and support
Use a licensed local dive center. Confirm transport, rental equipment, gas availability, emergency oxygen, communications, recall procedures, environmental restrictions and the current hyperbaric/emergency plan before departure.
Independent resource notice
This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.