NBM Dive Site Resource
Espalamaca Norte
Horta, Autonomous Region of the Azores, Portugal
UNVERIFIED — The official Azores dive registry identifies Espalamaca Norte as a current coastal dive, with an average depth of 6m and a published maximum of 14m. Conditions, route and access must be reconfirmed locally.
Save this dive site to your free member profile.
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 Espalamaca Norte dive, next to the Almoxarife Beach and protected by the Espalamaca Headland, is a sheltered site that starts at a depth of six metres, gently progressing down to 14 metres. It is a very convenient site for the days when conditions prevent other dives, or if you want to try night dives or snorkelling. The dive starts in the shallow areas, where it is possible to spot several species. Colourful ornate wrasses (Thalassoma pavo), Mediterranean rainbow wrasses (Coris julis) and Moroccan white seabreams (Diplodus sargus) stand out, but throughout the descent you may find several species of moray eels, common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and large schools of salema porgies (Sarpa salpa).
Before you arrive
Access notes
Boat 10 min from the Horta Harbour. 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.
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.