Ilhéu de Cima

Ilhéu de Cima is an intermediate dive site off a small islet on the northeastern side of Porto Santo Island — one of the rocky islets that punctuate Porto Santo's coastline and create productive diving zones where their underwater bases generate the topographic complexity and current concentration that supports excellent marine life. Ilhéu de Cima (Upper Islet) rises from the Atlantic near Porto Santo's eastern end, and its underwater skirt of volcanic rock creates varied habitat across different depth zones accessible to intermediate divers. The islet's exposure to the prevailing Atlantic conditions means that the diving here has more energy than the sheltered sites on Porto Santo's leeward coast, and the intermediate rating reflects both the depth range and the occasional current and surge that develop around an exposed offshore islet. The rewards for managing these conditions are proportionate: the islet's exposed position attracts the pelagic species typical of mid-Atlantic environments that don't appear at sheltered nearshore sites. Schools of Atlantic chub, bream, and various scombrid fish work through the current around the islet. Large amberjacks hunt through the schooling fish in purposeful formation. Atlantic barracuda position themselves in the current shadow of the rock formation. The marine life of the Madeiran archipelago is particularly notable for the Atlantic rays: manta rays and eagle rays are occasional visitors to the outer islets of Porto Santo, and even the smaller species — torpedo rays, round stingrays, undulate rays — make impressive subjects at productive intermediate sites like this. Excellent visibility typical of Porto Santo's open Atlantic waters completes the diving picture.