Pedrinha da Penedia
Located just 15 minutes outside the marina of Vila do Porto in Santa Maria, this marine reserve boasts an impressive abundance of flora and fauna. With moderate currents occasionally present, divers are treated to a fascinating underwater adventure. The entry point of the site offers a convenient mooring buoy that descends 8 meters down to the main rock, allowing for easy access. The average diving depth ranges from 15 to 25 meters, providing divers with ample opportunities to explore.
As you navigate the bottom rocks, you'll discover a small opening teeming with vibrant shrimps and a magnificent yellow moray eel. Keep your eyes peeled for dusky groupers hiding in the cracks around the rocks, adding to the diversity of marine life in this site. In the open blue waters, you may encounter barracudas and Amberjack, adding an extra thrill to your dive.
With a visibility of 21 meters and a maximum depth of 26 meters, this dive site offers an ideal setting for both beginner and advanced divers. Whether you're new to diving or seeking a more challenging experience, this location in Portugal's Área Protegida de Gestão de Recursos da Costa Sul is sure to captivate you.
Plan your visit to this captivating dive site near Maia, Santo Espírito in Vila do Porto, Azores, Portugal, and immerse yourself in the stunning underwater world it has to offer.
As you navigate the bottom rocks, you'll discover a small opening teeming with vibrant shrimps and a magnificent yellow moray eel. Keep your eyes peeled for dusky groupers hiding in the cracks around the rocks, adding to the diversity of marine life in this site. In the open blue waters, you may encounter barracudas and Amberjack, adding an extra thrill to your dive.
With a visibility of 21 meters and a maximum depth of 26 meters, this dive site offers an ideal setting for both beginner and advanced divers. Whether you're new to diving or seeking a more challenging experience, this location in Portugal's Área Protegida de Gestão de Recursos da Costa Sul is sure to captivate you.
Plan your visit to this captivating dive site near Maia, Santo Espírito in Vila do Porto, Azores, Portugal, and immerse yourself in the stunning underwater world it has to offer.
Diving Conditions Score for Pedrinha da Penedia
6.5
Above AverageDecent conditions, proceed with caution.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Pedrinha da Penedia
Depth
26m
Visibility
21m
Experience Level
beginner
advanced
Weather Conditions for Pedrinha da Penedia
Wave Height
1.16m
Wind Speed
20.6 m/s
Water Temp
20.8°C
Visibility
29.68km
Cloud Cover
5%
Wave Period
7.45s
Air Temperature
20.8°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Pedrinha da Penedia
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for Pedrinha da Penedia
Best time to dive: 7:00 with score 6.9478333333333335/10. Water conditions: Waves 1.12m, Wind 24.6 m/s.Best night dive time: 3:00 with score 6.471800000000001/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at Pedrinha da Penedia: 06:00
Sunset at Pedrinha da Penedia: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at Pedrinha da Penedia are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Best Overall
7:00Score: 6.9/10
Waves: 1.12m (7s), Wind: 24.6 m/s
Safest Overall
6:00Score: 6.9/10
Waves: 1.12m (7.1s), Wind: 23.1 m/s
Best Night
3:00Score: 6.5/10
Waves: 1.14m, Wind: 21.3 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Pedrinha da PenediaAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Pedrinha da Penedia
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for Pedrinha da Penedia
Winter
Avg. Score: 7.8/10
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for Pedrinha da Penedia
January
Score: 8.0
February
Score: 7.8
December
Score: 7.7
Ideal Conditions for Pedrinha da Penedia
Water Temp
21.3°C / 70.3°F
August
Visibility
12.0m / 39.4ft
July
Wave Height
2.8m / 9.2ft
August
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Pedrinha da Penedia
Pedrinha da Penedia shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with August being the warmest month (21.3°C) and January the coldest (12.6°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in August with average wave heights of 2.8m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in August with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). July is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during August to October, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 17, 2026
Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.
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