EUGENIO TAVARES - Santiago

The Eugenio Tavares wreck isn't deep, topping out at 5m, but don’t let that fool you. This isn’t a quick swim-over. We love it for its story, a carrier vessel built in 1950, sunk in ’77 after a mishap while loading. She was eventually beached, leaving her bones splayed out in the shallows. What you get here is a proper shallow-water playground. Sunlight streaks through the hull sections, catching clouds of silversides that dart in and out of the rusted metal. We’ve spent whole dives just poking around the ribs and collapsed decks, noticing how the ocean has really taken over. Look closely and you’ll find moray eels tucked into crevices, their heads peeking out, and we often spot octopus camouflaged against the encrusted plating. It’s ideal for photographers who want to play with light and shadow, or divers who just enjoy a relaxed, exploratory dive without the pressure of depth. Our favourite time to visit is early morning, before any wind picks up, when the water is often glassy and the light is soft.

Location

Santiago, Cape Verde, Indian Ocean & East Africa

Coordinates

14.876667, -24.493334

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

5m

Marine Protected Area: RNI Ilhéus do Rombo