Mantamaria Dive Center
Rua dos Andradas, 1925, Santa Maria, Azores, PRT
Over het Centrum
Mantamaria Dive Center is a dive center located on the island of Santa Maria, the southeasternmost island of the Azores archipelago in Portugal. Benefiting from a mild and sunny climate, the center offers a wide range of water and diving activities. Santa Maria's location provides excellent conditions for diving, with visibility that can reach 20 to 40 meters. The Baixa do Ambrósio Seamount is a notable site for observing manta rays and pelagic fish.
The center offers dive courses certified by PADI, SSI, and CMAS/FFESSM, including Discover Scuba Diving, Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water, Enriched Air Nitrox, Snorkeling, and Boat Diving. Mantamaria also provides guided dives, night dives, and equipment rental services. The fleet comprises five boats suitable for both diving expeditions and island tours.
Mantamaria Dive Center is distinguished by a team specializing in maritime activities, ensuring maximum safety and adherence to all regulations. The center features a bar and offers air fills (including nitrox), providing a complete experience for divers in an exceptional natural environment.
Beschikbare Cursussen
6 cursosOpen Water Diver
Mantamaria has been an SSI dive centre since 2012 and runs the Open Water Diver course in both full format (pool plus open water) and open water only for those who already have pool skills. An online training option is…
Advanced Open Water
The SSI Advanced Adventurer at Mantamaria introduces certified divers to a wider range of dive types around Santa Maria. The island's geology produces a variety of underwater environments within a short boat ride — lava…
Batismo mergulho/Discover scuba Diving
The intro dive at Mantamaria is offered in two formats: pool plus open water, or open water only — both run around Santa Maria's protected bays with an instructor in the water at all times. The session lasts…
SSI Dive Guide
The SSI Dive Guide programme at Mantamaria trains divers to lead and assist in the same waters where the centre's guided dives operate daily. That means practical experience on the actual sites — Ambrósio, Pedrinha,…
Mergulho com ar enriquecido Nitrox nível 2 (40%)
Both SSI and PADI Nitrox specialties are available at Mantamaria. The SSI version is listed as level 2 at 40% oxygen, covering the full range of enriched-air diving. The centre fills Nitrox on site with the Bauer B Trox…
Fotografia subaquática
The underwater photography specialty is listed in both the SSI and PADI curricula at Mantamaria. Santa Maria's combination of large pelagics, manta rays, whale sharks, and clear water with 20–40 metre visibility makes it…
Services
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The spots this centre offers its students
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Frequently asked
What people ask before booking
Both SSI and PADI — the centre has been an SSI dive centre since 2012 and a PADI Resort Member since 2012. You can choose which agency's certification you want to work towards.
July through September is the peak window at Baixa do Ambrósio. The site is a protected marine area, so there is a maximum permitted stay of 90 minutes and a specific code of conduct to follow around the mantas.
Yes — the centre runs a Bauer B Trox Membrana compressor station that fills both Nitrox (up to 40%) and Trimix. Courses for Nitrox level 2 (40%) are listed on the SSI side of the curriculum.
About 30 miles from Santa Maria, so plan for a longer boat ride each way. The upside is that cetaceans, turtles, and seabirds are commonly spotted on the crossing. Both sites are strict no-fishing reserves.
Yes, with caveats. The manta action typically happens between 5 and 15 metres, which is manageable for less experienced divers. The deeper sections of the mount reach 46 metres and involve moderate to strong currents — those are for experienced divers only.
Yes. Santa Maria is described as the Azorean island most visited by whale sharks, and the centre runs snorkelling trips for encounters. A typical outing also encounters large tuna schools, pilot fish, turtles, and dolphins.
Open every day from 08:30 to 18:00.
Five boats, all rated for both diving operations and island circumnavigation tours.