This dive site, Gruta dos Camarões (Shrimp Cave), is a challenging deep dive located on the slope of Guia Hill. It is a long and narrow cave system, primarily suited for experienced divers holding a cave diving certification due to its confined nature and navigation requirements. The site is a natural formation, and its history primarily revolves around its exploration by specialized divers.
Inside the cave, divers can encounter a rich variety of marine life. Large congers are frequently sighted, often coexisting with impressive clouds of narwal shrimp, which give the cave its name. Additionally, the site hosts several species of small nudibranchs, and occasionally, large Almaco jacks can be seen cruising near the cave's entrance or in its deeper sections.
The best time to visit Gruta dos Camarões generally aligns with the better diving conditions in the Azores, typically from late spring to early autumn (May to October), offering calmer seas and milder water temperatures. This site is strictly for highly experienced and certified cave divers; its depth, enclosed environment, and specialized skill demands make it unsuitable for snorkeling or recreational freediving.
