ESPIRITO SANTO - Azores

The Espirito Santo, a ferry that went down off Velas in 1976, isn't a deep dive, but it's a fascinating one. We love how accessible it is, sitting upright in just a metre of water. You're practically snorkelling over history here. We’d suggest heading out on a calm day; the surface chop can make things murky and a bit choppy when you’re that shallow. The wreck itself is broken into several large sections, creating a series of nooks and crannies that are home to all sorts of critters. We’ve spotted everything from curious damselfish darting amongst the twisted metal to small octopus tucked into crevices. The light play through the water and onto the rusting hulk is beautiful, especially mid-morning. It’s an interesting spot for photographers looking for something a bit different, or for less experienced divers wanting to get up close with a shipwreck without the depth. It really gives you a sense of the wreck's scale, even from the surface.

Location
Azores, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
38.681667, -28.202500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Marine Protected Area: Entre Morros

Best Time to Dive in Azores

The warmest water temperatures in Azores occur in January, averaging 16.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 16.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 16.8°C (air: 16.4°C)
  • February: 16.8°C (air: 15.9°C)
  • March: 16.8°C (air: 15.8°C)
  • April: 16.8°C (air: 16.3°C)
  • May: 16.8°C (air: 17.5°C)
  • June: 16.8°C (air: 19.2°C)
  • July: 16.8°C (air: 21.6°C)
  • August: 16.8°C (air: 23.4°C)
  • September: 16.8°C (air: 22.5°C)
  • October: 16.8°C (air: 20.9°C)
  • November: 16.8°C (air: 18.9°C)
  • December: 16.8°C (air: 17.1°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Azores

Nearest Dive Centres to ESPIRITO SANTO

Marine Life in Azores

Home to 229 recorded species including 153 reef fish, 23 whales & dolphins, 18 sharks & rays, 11 other, 7 seagrass & algae, 4 hard corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ESPIRITO SANTO

Based on average water temperature of 16.8°C.

  • Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 17°C water
  • Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
  • 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