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Scuba Dive Site: Vila Franca islet, São Miguel Island, Portugal

Scuba Dive Site Info:

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Name:	Vila Franca islet
Description:	It is placed on the south coast of São Miguel island, less than 500 meters away from the coast, in front of the villa. The islet of Vila Franca is formed by a volcanic cone, resulting from the hydromagmatic volcanic activity, partially dismantled by the marine erosion and tectonic movements. It is constituted by tufts, partially litificated (palagonithic tufts). These formations, quite subjected to the marine abrasion, present big vertical fractures and some cavities. This volcanic structure presents a small interior crater which communicates with the sea by a straight passage to N. The crater's deep presents deposits constituted by blocks, rolled stones and very extense sandy stains on the north half, which is characterized by an ancient crater, formed by big tuft blocks, small and medium dispersed stones with great sand areas, mainly on the north zone.
Fauna and Flora:	On the descent there are hog fishes. Above the depth, black and yellow dam-selfish, seabream, balcktail comber, salemas, parrot-fish, red and green ornate wrasse and sea urchin from the Brissus genre. Above the free sand glades, there are red mullet, greater amberjack, sardines, etc. On the deep, there are black morays, painted morays, octopus and groupers. Above the deep, there are rainbow wrasse. The dominant flora is characterized by Asparagopsis armata.
Diving Types:	Sightseeing Identifying sea life
Maximum depth:	18 m
Water Temperature:	Influenced by the Golf current, the medium temperatures of the sea water vary between 16º C and 22º C along the year.
Diving Suit:	Semi dry suit.
Visibility under water:	The translucent and calid water, usually with good visibility during the summer.
When to go:	May June July August September October