wreck

Log This Dive

XIMENES CALVINHO

The Ximenes Calvinho, down at just ten metres, isn’t about dramatic depths or massive pelagics. It’s a delightful little fishing vessel, sunk in 1989 after an unfortunate run-in with a Spanish chemical tanker. We love it for its accessibility and the way it’s become an artificial reef in such a relatively short time. The wreck itself is quite broken up, but you can still make out the bow and stern sections, especially the propeller. It’s a super relaxed dive, perfect for extended bottom times where you can really slow down and appreciate the details. Look closely, and you’ll find nudibranchs, often some vibrant colourful ones, and we’ve seen plenty of octopus tucked into crevices. Shoals of juvenile seabream dart in and out of the metalwork, and often a grumpy-looking conger eel eyes you from a pipe. It’s a photographer’s dream for macro, especially when the light filters down through the gin-clear water on a sunny day. We’d suggest going early to avoid any boat traffic, especially in summer. This site is brilliant for newer divers wanting to experience a wreck without the pressure of depth, or for experienced divers just looking for a chilled out dive with plenty of small stuff to discover.