visitmadeira.com · Official Tourism
Published Feb 19, 2026Official Madeira tourism article covering the wreck, visibility, and summer conditions.
Dive Spot Guide•
Corveta Afonso Cerqueira
Madeira's signature boat wreck off Cabo Girão.
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Local operator required
Boat-only wreck off Cabo Girão; plan through a Madeira charter or dive center.
Boat-only wreck with strong operator support; best for confident scuba divers planning a guided Madeira day trip.
About Corveta Afonso Cerqueira
Corveta Afonso Cerqueira is Madeira's signature boat wreck, a former Portuguese Navy corvette sunk off Cabo Girão and now sitting upright as an artificial reef. The wreck offers open exterior passes plus selected penetrable sections for trained wreck divers, with decks, cabins, and hull structure that photograph well. Plan it as a guided south-coast boat dive: simple logistics, a moderate depth profile, and conditions that still reward patience when the water is less than perfect.
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Research Estimate At Corveta Afonso Cerqueira
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 25m
AccessSimple entry
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
Crowd / PopularityQuite busy
CurrentLight current
SurgeLight surge
Where Is Corveta Afonso Cerqueira?
This spotNearby spots
Community sourced coordinates.
Corveta Afonso Cerqueira Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
12m - 30m
Depth Note
Public guides place the wreck roughly 12-30m deep, with a few references quoting a low-30s maximum.
Best Season
Year-round, with calmer seas and clearer water usually more common in summer.
Typical Conditions
Boat-based south-coast wreck diving with clear-water windows, a photogenic artificial reef, and occasional weather-driven visibility swings.
Safety & Access At Corveta Afonso Cerqueira
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Boat trafficOverhead environmentRestricted access
Safety Notes
Stay outside any interior sections unless trained for wreck penetration, keep buoyancy tight along the hull, and plan the ascent around surface traffic.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only; use a local operator and wreck-appropriate training for any interior sections.
Legal Notes
Protected marine-park setting; follow operator briefings and park etiquette.
Local Intel For Corveta Afonso Cerqueira
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
A guided wreck dive with open exterior lines and selected penetrable spaces. Best for certified scuba divers who are comfortable with depth and wreck awareness.
Freediving
Not a practical freedive target because the wreck is deep and includes overhead structure.
Snorkeling
Not a snorkeling site beyond surface viewing.
Wildlife at Corveta Afonso Cerqueira
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Corveta Afonso Cerqueira
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Corveta Afonso Cerqueira
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility25m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
