2m
    Santiago, Cape Verde
    Parque Natural Norte da Ilha do Maio

    COUNTY OF CARMARTHEN

    Best months: Jul–Sep

    Protected Area

    Parque Natural Norte da Ilha do Maio

    Why dive here

    With 43+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, humpback whales, orcas, sea turtles and sperm whales - COUNTY OF CARMARTHEN offers some of Santiago's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 24-29°C, warmest August, September, October.

    Best timeJul–Sep
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeDolphins, Humpback Whales, Orcas, Sea Turtles and Sperm Whales · 43+ species recorded
    Water24-29°C · warmest August, September, October
    CharacterWreck dive · max 2m
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    The County of Carmarthen, what a glorious mess she is. This old steamship, sunk way back in 1922, isn’t about dramatic depths – she’s practically a snorkel site at a maximum of two metres. But don’t let that fool you. We love this wreck precisely *because* she’s so shallow and so thoroughly broken up. It's like an archaeological dig in real-time. You’re not penetrating cabins here, you’re swimming over, through, and around the skeletal remains of a substantial vessel. The sheer size of her, 105 metres long, means you could spend an hour just meandering through the twisted metal plates and enormous beams. Sunlight penetrates everywhere, illuminating schools of tiny baitfish that shimmer like liquid silver between the corroded ribs. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of cleaner shrimp busying themselves, and often a moray eel peeking out from under a particularly hefty piece of steel. Our favourite spot is near the stern, where the engine block is clearly visible, now completely overgrown with soft corals. It’s a photographer’s dream, particularly on a calm morning when the surface is like glass. Ideal for anyone who loves history and doesn’t need deep water to feel immersed.

    Typical COUNTY OF CARMARTHEN Dive Profile

    Safety Stop0m2m max~60 min estimated bottom time

    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.

    Today05:2417:1611h 52m daylightGolden hour 16:47

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for COUNTY OF CARMARTHEN

    COUNTY OF CARMARTHEN Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for COUNTY OF CARMARTHEN, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (15.08, -23.79) (14km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    29°C

    83°F · Range: 27.2–29.7°C

    Air Temperature

    27°C

    80°F

    Wind Speed

    5.38 m/s

    10.5 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1013.6 hPa

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data

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