AXPI-MENDI (POSSIBLY)

Protected Area

RNI Ilhéu dos Pássaros

Why dive here

AXPI-MENDI (POSSIBLY) is a wreck dive in Boa Vista, Cape Verde.

CharacterWreck dive · max 2m

The Axpi-Mendi, or what we *think* is the Axpi-Mendi, sits impossibly shallow, barely dipping its nose below the surface at just two metres. It’s less a dive and more a snorkel, but don’t let that put you off. This isn't some broken-up debris field; it’s a proper ship, a trawler, beached and battered, and we love it for its sheer accessibility. You’re exploring a wreck from the surface here, but it’s remarkably intact for something so exposed. The bow points skyward, half-submerged, with waves washing over the deck. You can peer into the wheelhouse, swim around the davits, and watch shoals of juvenile fish dart in and out of every crevice. We’ve spent hours here, just floating, feeling the push and pull of the ocean, listening to the creaks and groans of the hull. It’s less about big pelagics and more about the micro-ecosystem that has claimed this vessel – crabs scuttling, anemones swaying, and the sun dappling through the deck plates. Go at high tide for the best experience; it gets a bit too exposed otherwise. It’s an ideal spot for snorkelers, freedivers, or even just a unique afternoon activity if you're not up for a full dive, offering a really raw encounter with a shipwreck.

Typical AXPI-MENDI (POSSIBLY) Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Today05:1817:5112h 33m daylightGolden hour 17:22

AXPI-MENDI (POSSIBLY) Wreck History

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

grounding

This site, marked as a possible location of the Axpe Mendi, lies in the extreme shallows off Boa Vista. At a depth of only 2 meters, it is most likely part of the same extensive debris field from the Spanish cargo ship that grounded here in 1916. The immense power of the surf has scattered the vessel over a wide area, and this location represents just one piece of the puzzle. Its classification as a "Dangerous wreck" may indicate the presence of sharper, more unstable sections of wreckage or exposure to stronger surge compared to other parts of the site. For snorkelers and divers, it offers a different perspective on the wreck's slow disintegration and its transformation into a habitat for local marine life.