Azores divers’ parks

Two underwater archaeological parks have been set up in the bay off of Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island, Azores.

At Naufrágio do Vapor Lidador, scuba divers can tour the wreck of the Lidador, a steamship from the 1800s. The passengers survived, but the ship was pushed against the shore and sank into 30 feet of water. Divers can read underwater plaques and follow a line around the Lidador.

Cémeterio Das Âncoras is a collection of anchors left behind by ships escaping to open waters. The anchors sit in 50 to 100 feet of water along 1,500 feet of coastline near Angra Harbor.

Both sites are close to shore, and there is no entry fee; divers can float or swim from the Figuerinha docks or hire a launch. Divers also can hire a local outfitter for the dive, such as Aquarius Centro Nautico (Porto das Pipas, 9700 Angra do Heroísmo Apt. 412; phone +351 295 642 766, fax +351 91 616 3107 or e-mail aquarius.diver@mail.telepac.pt).

Contact the Terceira island tourism office (Rua Direita 70-74 9700-066 Angra do Heroísmo, 295-213-393 or 295-513-140 [airport] or visit www.visitazores.org).