Formigas Islets

別名： Ilhéus das Formigas · Ilhéu das Formigas · Formigas

The Formigas are a handful of small rocks topped by a lighthouse, set in open ocean about 20 miles from Santa Maria. The area is a marine reserve closed to fishing, and groupers, schools of Bermuda chubs, grey triggerfish and almaco jacks gather around the islets. On the largest islet the east face drops as a vertical wall, the north side has dives among rocky blocks, and a small reef just south of the lighthouse lies at only 8 m. Passing pelagics include tunas, wahoo, bonito and barracuda, and with luck divers meet devil rays, giant mantas, smooth hammerheads or Galapagos sharks. Cetaceans, turtles and seabirds are often spotted on the boat ride out.