The Formigas islets are a group of 8 islets belonging to the Eastern Group of the Azores Archipelago. They are located between the island of São Miguel and Santa Maria, 60 kilometres away from the island of Verde and 37 kilometres away from the island of Sol.
Ilhéus das Formigas © Visit Azores.
This site, together with Dollabarat Reef, has been classified as a Regional Nature Reserve and is part of the Natura 2020 Network. In addition, the importance of this marine area led to its classification as a Wetland of International Importance by the RAMSAR Convention. It is a true birthplace of marine life in its most erudite state.
The islanders were formed by basalt flows that were interrupted by calcareous veins. These veins contain marine invertebrate fossils and possibly recommend the Miocene.
The rocks that make up the islets appear arranged in a north-south direction and are 165 metres long and 80 metres wide. The highest islet, known as Formigão, is 11 metres long.
In this authentic natural aquarium, you can find sponges and coral banks, and several species such as the fish – dog (Pseudolepidaplois scrofa), the mero (Epinephelus marginatus) and the kingfish (Coris Julis). It is also possible to spot species that pass through the islets during the migration, such as the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), the hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena) and the whale shark (Rhincodon typus). The area has a total area of 52 393 hectares.
Mero (Epinephelus marginatus)