ATERPE-ALAI - Inner Islands

The *Aterpe-Alai* sits upright at a modest 17 meters, a fishing trawler that met a fiery end in Port Victoria before being towed out and scuttled in 1990. We love how accessible this wreck is. It’s a proper ship, nearly 60 meters long, and you can really get a sense of its scale as you approach. The main deck is still largely intact, and we always find ourselves drawn to the stern, where the prop is still present, usually with a couple of substantial groupers hanging out underneath. Our favourite part has to be the bridge section. It's collapsed a bit, but there are still plenty of swim-throughs to explore, tight squeezes where you might brush past a passing batfish. Inside, the light filters through the gaps, illuminating schools of glassfish shimmering in the old cabins. Keep an eye out for robust lionfish tucked into shadowed corners and moray eels peeking from beneath plates of rusted steel. It’s a slow, contemplative dive, perfect for wreck enthusiasts who enjoy exploring history without extreme depths or currents. We always recommend taking your time, letting your eyes adjust, and you'll be amazed at the life clinging to every surface.

Location
Inner Islands, Seychelles, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-4.605500, 55.475166
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
17m

Wreck History - ATERPE-ALAI

Year Sunk
1990
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
fire

The ATERPE-ALAI was a Spanish-built fishing vessel that operated in the bountiful waters of the Seychelles. Its career came to an abrupt and fiery end on October 18, 1990. While moored alongside in Port Victoria, a devastating fire broke out on board. Despite efforts to control the blaze, the ship was consumed and eventually sank, coming to rest on the sandy seabed where it lies today.

Now a popular dive site in the Inner Islands, the ATERPE-ALAI sits upright at a comfortable depth of 17 meters. Its relatively recent sinking means the structure is largely intact, providing an excellent and easily navigable wreck for divers of all levels. You can explore the deck, peer into the wheelhouse, and swim around the hull, which is now completely encrusted in coral and sponges. The wreck acts as a magnet for the Seychelles' famous marine life, including schools of snapper, batfish, and the occasional stingray resting in the sand nearby.

Marine Protected Area: Ste. Anne Marine National Park

Best Time to Dive in Inner Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Inner Islands occur in April, averaging 30.4°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 26.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.7°C
  • February: 29.0°C
  • March: 29.8°C
  • April: 30.4°C
  • May: 29.8°C
  • June: 28.5°C
  • July: 26.8°C
  • August: 26.6°C
  • September: 27.4°C
  • October: 28.3°C
  • November: 29.0°C
  • December: 29.1°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Inner Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to ATERPE-ALAI

Marine Life in Inner Islands

Home to 184 recorded species including 156 reef fish, 8 hard corals, 6 sharks & rays, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 whales & dolphins, 2 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ATERPE-ALAI

Based on average water temperature of 28.6°C, currents 11 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories