Local dive-center page based in Tarrafal at Ponta de Atum.
Cabo Verde · Sao Vicente and Santo Antao Dive Coast
Shallow Tarrafal wall dive with a drift along the reef edge.
Shallow Tarrafal wall dive with a drift along the reef edge.
Ponta d'Tum is a close-to-shore Tarrafal wall dive that starts on a shallow plateau and then drops into a steeper reef edge. Dives usually follow the lip of the drop-off as a drift, so the site feels more active than a flat reef but still manageable for careful reef divers. It suits people who want a current-aware route with good fish life rather than a simple still-water swim-through.
Site Conditions
Safety Notes
Treat it as a drift along the wall with current and depth awareness near the edge. The main risk is losing the lip of the drop-off or pushing too deep while following the contour.
Access Restrictions
Use a local guide or operator if you want to manage the drift safely; the site is close to shore but not a casual still-water swim-out.
Legal Notes
No special permit was confirmed in the sources; follow local operator guidance and Tarrafal access rules.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Start on the plateau, then follow the wall edge as it drops deeper. The site rewards slow, controlled reef diving and good current reading more than speed.
Freediving
Possible only as a conservative shallow-plateau freedive in calm conditions; the main route is really a wall/drift dive and suits scuba better.
Snorkeling
Not a primary snorkel site; the interesting structure begins deeper and the wall is better suited to scuba or very conservative shallow work.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Research estimate
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Last Updated
Research Sources
Local dive-center page based in Tarrafal at Ponta de Atum.
Tourism/hospitality page with visibility and access context for Cape Verde dives.
Tarrafal dive-site page with the shallow plateau and drop-off framing.

Parede do Tarrafal is a calm shore wall dive in Tarrafal Bay.

Boat-access plateau dive in Santo Antão, Cabo Verde.

Shore dive between reefs with calm conditions and rich fish life.