Portugal
A protected group of uninhabited islets and an adjoining submerged reef between São Miguel and Santa Maria, designated a Nature Reserve, Natura 2000 site and Ramsar wetland.
The Formigas Islets, about 43 km northeast of Santa Maria, are the emerged part of a submarine volcanic bank extending to the submerged Dollabarat Reef 9 km southeast. Protected as a Nature Reserve since 1988 and a Ramsar wetland since 2008, fishing is prohibited. The reef hosts kelp beds, black coral colonies and is a noted site for manta rays and whale sharks (mainly July-September), boat-only access. Source: Ramsar Sites Information Service, PADI.