Explore the Afonso Cerqueira Wreck, a rare artificial reef teeming with marine life, perfect for divers of all levels seeking adventure and discovery.
Explore the Afonso Cerqueira Wreck, a rare artificial reef teeming with marine life, perfect for divers of all levels seeking adventure and discovery.
-
MX2W+3F Câmara de Lobos - The adventure starts at Azul Diving Madeira. After checking in and setting up equipment, participants will receive a comprehensive dive briefing from our skilled dive guides, which includes safety protocols, wreck layout, marine life, and current conditions.
Next, the group will take a brief boat ride to the Afonso…
- MX2W+3F Câmara de Lobos - The adventure starts at Azul Diving Madeira. After checking in and setting up equipment, participants will receive a comprehensive dive briefing from our skilled dive guides, which includes safety protocols, wreck layout, marine life, and current conditions.
Next, the group will take a brief boat ride to the Afonso Cerqueira wreck site, located at a depth of approximately 12 to 30 meters, making it accessible for both Open Water and Advanced divers.
The wreck, a former Portuguese Navy corvette deliberately sunk in 2018, now lies serenely on the seabed and hosts a diverse array of marine life, such as groupers, moray eels, octopus, and schools of barracuda.
Participants will have ample time to explore the exterior of the wreck with their guide, appreciating both the structure and the vibrant reef life.
Upon resurfacing, the group will return to the dive center, where they can rinse their gear and unwind.

- Boat trip
- 12L Air tank + Weight system
- Dive guide
- Diving Insurance
- Boat trip
- 12L Air tank + Weight system
- Dive guide
- Diving Insurance
- Use of SCUBA equipment
- Government fees
- Use of SCUBA equipment
- Government fees
-
Unique Artificial Reef
The Afonso Cerqueira F488 is a Navy vessel intentionally sunk to serve as a safe and environmentally friendly artificial reef. This allows divers to explore a clean, structurally sound wreck specifically designed for diving — a truly unique experience. -
Depth Accessible to Many Divers
Unlike many deep wrecks, this one is…
-
Unique Artificial Reef
The Afonso Cerqueira F488 is a Navy vessel intentionally sunk to serve as a safe and environmentally friendly artificial reef. This allows divers to explore a clean, structurally sound wreck specifically designed for diving — a truly unique experience. -
Depth Accessible to Many Divers
Unlike many deep wrecks, this one is situated between 12 to 30 meters, making it accessible for both Open Water divers (with supervision or deep experience) and Advanced divers. It offers a rare opportunity to explore a genuine wreck without requiring technical-level certification. -
Attraction for Marine Life
In just a few years, the wreck has developed into a thriving ecosystem. Divers can expect to encounter:
- Large dusky groupers
- Moray eels, octopus, and nudibranchs
- Schools of barracuda and other pelagic species circling the area
The combination of the wreck’s structure and the abundant marine life provides excellent opportunities for photography and videography.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.