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PINQUINO

The *Pinquino* wreck, lying in Arraial do Cabo, is our pick for a straightforward, rewarding dive. We love that she’s shallow, topping out at 17 metres, which means plenty of bottom time to really soak it all in. This 60-metre motor vessel ran aground back in the 1960s, and time underwater has done a good job of transforming her into an artificial reef. You'll find the wreck broken into two main sections. The stern, with its prominent propeller, is a great spot to start. Then you can follow the line of the hull forward to the bow, which is a bit more scattered. Penetration isn't really on the cards here, but there's still plenty to poke around. Look inside the cargo holds and you'll often see schools of grunts hanging out, almost suspended in the gloom. Outside, a thick coating of sponges and anemones now covers the metal, and we’ve often spotted moray eels peeking from the nooks and crannies. Visibility here can sometimes get a bit stirred up, especially after a strong southwesterly, so we’d suggest aiming for calmer mornings if you can. It’s a great dive for anyone comfortable with a bit of current and keen to explore a piece of history that’s been thoroughly reclaimed by the ocean.