#14 of 20 · Azores, Portugal

Princess Alice Bank

Devil rays above an Atlantic seamount.

Where to Dive editorial
Mobula and divers at Princess Alice Bank; representative of diving Princess Alice Bank
Mobula and divers at Princess Alice BankSource ↗
Overall rank
#14 of 20
Editor’s score
8.5 / 10
Best months
July — September
Go for
Schools of devil rays · Tuna
The short answer

Why dive here?

Chilean devil rays gather above Princess Alice Bank, often circling divers in blue water. Tuna and jacks add to the dives. The offshore boat ride is long and weather can cancel it, so leave spare days in your trip.

Timing

When to go

The best time to dive here is July — September. Check the linked season guide and ask your operator about conditions for your dates.

The diving

What to look for

These are the main draws. Sightings vary by site, season and luck.

  • Schools of devil rays
  • Tuna
  • Blue-water seamount
  • Pelagic sharks
Practicalities

Conditions and trip planning

Advanced; 50 logged dives commonly required. The offshore run is long and can be cancelled even when the coast looks calm.

Trip format: Long-range day boat or expedition boat, depending on the operator.

Why it sits here

About the score

Princess Alice Bank scores 8.5/10 for diving at its best. The ranking favours sharks and other large animals, followed by reef health and variety across the trip. Price and travel time do not affect the score.

Recent trip footage

Dives on video

Watch for the conditions, marine life and pace of the dives. Each video shows one trip.