AQUIDABAN - Arraial do Cabo

The Aquidabã isn't just a dive, it’s a history lesson playing out at 16 metres. We love this site for its sheer gravitas; it was a battleship, sunk in 1906 after an explosion, and the scale of it is still humbling. As you descend, the shape slowly resolves from the blue, a vast, fragmented structure lying on its side. It's a proper wreck penetration dive if you’re qualified, with plenty of swim-throughs where the light plays off the rusted metal, but even just exploring the exterior is fascinating. Our favourite spot is around the stern, where the prop shaft still protrudes, encrusted with sponges and home to schools of snapper. Look for the resident moray eels peeking from crevices, and we’ve seen some surprisingly large groupers here too. The visibility can be variable, but even on an average day, the sheer size of the Aquidabã ensures it’s an impressive dive. We'd suggest going early in the morning to avoid any crowds and to catch the best light filtering through the wreckage. It’s a site for those who appreciate maritime history and the way the ocean reclaims human endeavour, best suited to experienced wreck divers or those comfortable in overhead environments, though open water divers can certainly enjoy the exterior.

Location
Arraial do Cabo, Brazil, South America
Coordinates
-23.042223, -44.252640
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
16m

Wreck History - AQUIDABAN

Year Sunk
1906
Vessel Type
warship
Cause
unknown
Tonnage
5,800 tons

The Aquidabã was a formidable steel ironclad battleship that served as the flagship of the Brazilian Navy in the late 19th century. The vessel had a dramatic career, most notably participating in the 1893 Naval Revolt, during which it was torpedoed and sunk by a government torpedo boat. In an incredible feat of engineering for the time, the warship was raised, repaired, and returned to service, continuing its duties protecting the Brazilian coast.

The ship's luck ran out on January 21, 1906. While anchored in Jacuacanga Bay near Ilha Grande, as officers prepared for a dinner to honor a visiting minister, the ship's powder magazines spontaneously exploded with catastrophic force. The massive blast tore the vessel apart, and it sank in just three minutes, taking 212 sailors and officers with it, including three of Brazil's most promising naval commanders. The cause of the explosion was attributed to the instability of the aging powder.

Lying at a recreational depth of 16 meters, the wreck of the Aquidabã is now a scattered but fascinating historical dive site. The explosion's violence is evident in the debris field, but divers can still identify huge sections of armored hull, deck plates, and the ship's impressive cannons. The site is a protected archaeological treasure and a memorial to those who lost their lives, offering a poignant glimpse into a turbulent period of naval history.

Marine Protected Area: Área De Relevante Interesse Ecológico Das Ilhas Cataguás

Best Time to Dive in Arraial do Cabo

The warmest water temperatures in Arraial do Cabo occur in January, averaging 26.6°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 21.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.6°C
  • February: 26.4°C
  • March: 26.5°C
  • April: 25.0°C
  • May: 24.0°C
  • June: 22.9°C
  • July: 21.9°C
  • August: 21.6°C
  • September: 22.2°C
  • October: 23.0°C
  • November: 23.4°C
  • December: 24.8°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Arraial do Cabo

Nearest Dive Centres to AQUIDABAN

Marine Life in Arraial do Cabo

Home to 62 recorded species including 44 reef fish, 3 other, 3 crabs & lobsters, 3 sea urchins, 2 whales & dolphins, 2 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for AQUIDABAN

Based on average water temperature of 24.0°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 24°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