This dataset contains records of benthic marine communities collected from shallow subtidal rocky habitats around São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal, during July 2020. Sampling was conducted at five coastal locations at approximately 5 m depth using a combination of quadrat surveys and visual belt transects to characterize the composition and structure of benthic assemblages. The dataset provides information on the diversity, abundance, and spatial distribution of macroalgae and other benthic organisms inhabiting shallow coastal ecosystems of the Azores. It constitutes a valuable baseline for biodiversity assessments, ecological monitoring, and studies investigating spatial variation, community structure, and environmental change in Atlantic island marine ecosystems.