VELMA
Protected Area
Ilheu da Vila
Why dive here
With 219+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales and hammerhead sharks - VELMA offers some of Azores's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 16-24°C, warmest August, September, October.
The Velma wreck, resting at a shallow 11 meters, is a nice, straightforward dive. Sunk in 1961, the ship is now well-broken, but still offers plenty of interesting structure to explore. We’ve seen quite a few moray eels tucked into the crevices and schooling fish around the deck plates. It's a solid choice for newer wreck divers or anyone looking for a relaxed second dive.
Typical VELMA 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.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to VELMA
Dive shops near VELMA
Mantamaria Dive Center Azores
Mantamaria Dive Center
Haliotis - Santa Maria Diving Center
Reviews for VELMA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for VELMA
VELMA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for VELMA, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (37.87, -25.92) (22km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
22°C
72°F · Range: 20.5–24.2°C
Air Temperature
21°C
70°F
Wind Speed
10 m/s
19.4 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1018.8 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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