NBM Dive Site Resource
Gruta dos Camarões
Horta, Autonomous Region of the Azores, Portugal
UNVERIFIED — The official Azores dive registry identifies Gruta dos Camarões as a current deep/cave dive, with an average depth of 28m and a published maximum of 35m. Conditions, route and access must be reconfirmed locally.
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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
Located on the slope of the Guia Hill, the Gruta dos Camarões (Shrimp Cave) is a deep dive performed in a long and narrow cave. It is only advisable for experienced divers certified in cave diving. This is one of the best cave dives in the Azores. Its crack-shaped entrance is located at 35 metres, leading to a high and narrow corridor that is only about 1 metre wide. It extends for about 25 metres and ends in a big cavern, where you can spot large congers (Conger conger) and clouds of narwal shrimp (Plesionika narval) as well as several species of small nudibranchs and sometimes even large Almaco jacks (Seriola rivoliana). Although it is known as cave, this is actually a cavern with access to an air pocket. Do note that without specialist technical dive equipment you cannot emerge here.
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. Deeper routes require certification, gas planning, ascent discipline and decompression awareness; do not exceed personal or agency limits. Any overhead entry requires appropriate cavern/cave training, redundant gas and lights, a continuous guideline and an operator-approved plan; otherwise remain in open water.
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.