wreck

Log This Dive

Helicoptero

Helicoptero is Arraial do Cabo's signature wreck dive, and we think it earns that reputation. It’s an old fishing trawler, sunk deliberately, and now she sits upright at around 20 metres. We love the way the light filters through the superstructure, especially on a sunny morning. You can swim through the wheelhouse, past the galley, and explore the holds, which are now home to schools of snapper and grunts. Keep an eye out for the resident moray eels peeking from the darker recesses. The visibility here can be hit or miss, as with much of Arraial, but when it’s good, it’s really good, sometimes pushing 15 metres. Even on a greener day, the wreck itself provides enough structure to keep things interesting. Our favourite part is the stern, where the prop is still intact and often shrouded in glassy sweepers. This dive is perfect for advanced open water divers comfortable with overhead environments, though most of the wreck is open enough that penetration isn’t too committing. It’s a proper exploration dive, with something new to spot on every descent.