Faial Channel

The Faial Channel or Canal do Faial is an 8.3 km long channel that separates the islands of Faial and Pico in the central part of the Azores archipelago. The strait are divided into two sections, the Baixa do Norte and the Baixa do Sul.

Baixa do Norte

The Baixa do Norte is located 2 km (3 nmi) from Ponta da Espalamaca and is the extension of Baixa do Sul. The depth is around 100 to 150 m, the highest point reaches to 17 m below sea level. The anterior of the Baixa do Norte composes one series of large rocky outcrops of less than 5 m.

The Baixa do Norte was always considered a reef in the west of the Faial-Pico channel, in recent years, the reefs was discovered to reduce its size with more in Baixa do Norte saw a small number of fishers in the area of Baica da Barca. Investigations from the University of the Azores' Department of Oceanography and Fishing (DOP, pronunciation: deh-oh-peh), had dived the unvegetated rock between spring and June 1997 and found fascinating marine life, apparently, subjects of reduction of anthropogenic pressure. The baixa are characterized of having peaks less than 25 m deep, it also contains large blocks of rock and fishes in considerable dimensions. In the southern portion contains unvegetated rocks with peaks up to around 30 m below, between these forms valleys with lots of metres of depth.

Baixa do Sul

The "Baixa do Sul"' is a reef that is mainly meridional. It is situated 3 km (2 nmi) from the port of Horta. The peak is approximately 8 m below sea level. The channel features interesting geological structures which also features two large attractions, the caldeiras. It is 8 m in length and 3 m in diameter.