This dive site, Baixa das Âncoras, is a fascinating rocky area near the Port of Vila Franca, Portugal. Historically serving as an anchorage, it is now characterized by numerous scattered anchors from various periods, some remarkably intact, offering unique underwater exploration and a glimpse into maritime history. Divers can navigate around these structures, which provide habitat for marine life.
The diverse marine life found here includes stingrays, round stingrays, grey mullet, axillary seabream, red porgy, wrasse, bastard grunt, blacktail comber, Triton, axillary wrasse, and white seabream, making it a vibrant ecosystem for observation.
The best time to visit this site is generally during the warmer months from late spring to early autumn for optimal conditions and marine activity. Its shallow average depth of 10 meters makes it ideal for beginner divers and a perfect spot for freedivers and snorkelers to explore the historical anchors and abundant fish life. Always be mindful of boat traffic when diving near a port.
