Velha - Santiago
Velha in Santiago offers a straightforward reef dive, good for shaking off the rust or for newer divers. The main draw here is the chance to spot the smaller reef residents like nudibranchs and blennies tucked into the rock crevices. We’ve found the currents generally mild, making it a relaxed way to spend an afternoon underwater. It’s a solid option if you’re looking for a comfortable dive without strong currents.
- Location
- Santiago, Cape Verde, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- 14.915396, -23.609330
- Type
- reef
- Maximum Depth
- 5-20m
Marine Protected Area: Paisagem Protegida Salinas Porto Inglês
Nearby Dive Sites in Santiago
- Atlanticus Diving - House Reef - 13m (reef)
- COUNTY OF CARMARTHEN - 2m (wreck)
- Divecenter Santiago & King Bay (reef)
- EUGENIO TAVARES - 5m (wreck)
- Franciscus
- Leuchtturm
- MIRA-TERRA - 10m (wreck)
- Plateau - 10-25m (reef)
- Tuna Point
- Vogelwand
Nearest Dive Centres to Velha
- Cidade Velha Diving - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Santiago
Home to 43 recorded species including 35 reef fish, 4 whales & dolphins, 3 hard corals, 1 other.
Notable Species
- Gray's Cutthroat (Synaphobranchus kaupii) - Reef Fish
- Bastard soldierfish (Myripristis jacobus) - Reef Fish
- Remora (Remora remora) - Reef Fish
- Springer (Mugil cephalus) - Reef Fish
- Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
- Balao (Hemiramphus balao) - Reef Fish
- Broom-tail File (Aluterus scriptus) - Reef Fish
- Channel Flounder (Syacium micrurum) - Reef Fish
- White Seabream (Diplodus sargus) - Reef Fish
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Jack (Selar crumenophthalmus) - Reef Fish
- Triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) - Reef Fish
- King Mullet (Mulloidichthys martinicus) - Reef Fish
- African Forktail Snapper (Apsilus fuscus) - Reef Fish
- Devilfish (Ophioblennius atlanticus) - Reef Fish
- Mulet (Mugil curema) - Reef Fish
- Sand Steenbras (Lithognathus mormyrus) - Reef Fish
- axillary sea-bream (Pagellus acarne) - Reef Fish
- Butterfish (Eucinostomus melanopterus) - Reef Fish
- Bastard Grunt (Pomadasys incisus) - Reef Fish