- Only 20m to the entrance
- Depth: 0 to 12m
- Type of dive site: 55m long cave with air bubble
- Suitable for: for advanced and experienced divers
This east facing house reef dive site Ponta Oliveira Cave, is an Eldorado for those who love the cave feeling and still want to find their way back safely. Here, full attention is focused on the light-shy cave dwellers, which seem like creatures from a foreign world in the cone of light from the underwater lamps. You can observe Atlantic dancing shrimps, golden shrimps, reef lobsters, locust lobster, mullet kings, warty umbrella snails, peach nudibranchs, stone sponges, black corals and, with a bit of luck, one of the now rare Atlantic monk seals, that regularly retreat here. What more could you want :-)!
The special feature of the very large Ponta da Oliveira cave is that, despite its size, it is easy to dive, provided that the buoyancy is very good. With a length of 55 m, a width of 20 m, a maximum depth of 12 m and a large air bubble at the end for surfacing, it not only invites experienced divers, but also offers an easy and yet exciting introduction to cave diving for good divers who have no cave experience.
“I will never forget my very first dive in this large cave. As we surfaced into the air pocket, we encountered a sleeping monk seal reflecting gently on the water’s surface.
But even without the seal, which can still occasionally be spotted here, the cave remains an exciting dive site. On the cave floor and along the walls, you can find crabs and shrimp, and surfacing into the air dome feels like a truly magical moment.
The cave is spacious, the exit is always visible, and there is plenty to explore. On the way back, a stunning backdrop unfolds — dramatic rock formations framed by the deep blue Atlantic in the background. It is the perfect moment for underwater photographers to capture their dive buddy in an unforgettable setting.
“
Armin Trutnau
Underwater photographer for over 30 years, multiple German Champion, and winner of numerous national and international photography competitions
