ARNEL
Protected Area
Costa Sudoeste (Ilha de Santa Maria)
Why dive here
With 219+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales and hammerhead sharks - ARNEL offers some of Azores's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 17°C.
The Arnel wreck off Santa Maria Island is a good pick for a relaxed dive. This old freighter, sunk in 1958, sits in just 5 metres of water, making it super accessible for all experience levels. We often see it covered in colourful sponges and small anemones. You can poke around the superstructure and imagine its former life, though much of it has started to break down into the seabed. It’s an easy, gentle dive, ideal for a longer bottom time or for getting comfortable with wreck diving without the pressure of depth. We typically spot schools of juvenile fish flitting in and out of the metal frames, and often a few curious octopus tucked into crevices.
Typical ARNEL Dive Profile
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.
Nearest Dive Centres to ARNEL
Dive shops near ARNEL
Haliotis - Santa Maria Diving Center
Mantamaria Dive Center
Mantamaria Dive Center Azores
Reviews for ARNEL
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ARNEL
ARNEL Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ARNEL, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (38.01, -27.76) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
16.79°C
62°F
Air Temperature
23.41°C
74°F
Wind Speed
6.92 m/s
13.5 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1022 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
Book a dive trip in Azores
Guided dives, courses & snorkel tours - instant booking
Where to Stay near ARNEL
Prices from Booking.com. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.