Manta Ray Azores July – Encounter Guide & Best Sites

Peak Azores pelagic season. Mobula rays and occasional manta rays present. Blue and mako sharks also active.

Encounter overview

Diving or snorkelling with manta rays in Azores during July is high season, with an encounter probability of approximately 70% under normal conditions. Manta rays are the ocean’s most graceful megafauna – enormous, intelligent animals that barrel-roll through plankton clouds and visit cleaning stations with clockwork regularity.

Best sites

• Princesa Alice Bank
• Condor Bank
• Formigas Seamount

What to expect

Reef mantas (M. alfredi) are resident and predictable; oceanic mantas (M. birostris) range widely. Both species visit cleaning stations daily, often early morning. Night dives near lights can trigger spectacular feeding aggregations.

Water conditions in July

Water temperature in Azores typically ranges 17-24°C. Visibility at Princesa Alice Bank in July is generally good; check local liveaboard or dive operator reports the week of your trip for specific conditions. Open water, blue water, pelagic is the primary dive style in Azores.

Practical tips

Never touch mantas – the mucus coat protects them from infection. Approach slowly from below and ahead; never chase. A horizontal body position causes far less disturbance than standing upright in the water column.

Getting there

Fly into Ponta Delgada (PDL) on São Miguel; Faial (HOR). Blue and sperm whale watching, mobula rays, blue sharks, mako sharks, common dolphins. EU/Schengen visa applies (visa-free for many nationalities). Currency: Euro (EUR).

Is July a good time to visit Azores for manta ray?

Yes – July is high season for manta rays in Azores. Encounter probability is around 70% on a dedicated trip. Best sites include Princesa Alice Bank, Condor Bank, Formigas Seamount. Check availability at Princesa Alice Bank as spaces fill quickly in peak months.