wreck

Log This Dive

PRINCIPE DE LAS ASTURIAS

The Principe, as everyone calls her, isn’t just a wreck dive. It’s an immersion into history, a genuinely tragic story playing out 35 metres down off Arraial do Cabo. We love how her sheer size still impresses, even after 100 years underwater. Sunk in 1916 after striking rocks in a thick fog, her boilers famously exploded, splitting her hull in two. You can still see that violent separation. Dropping down, the visibility here can vary, but when it’s good, the scale of her remains is incredible. Her stern section is the most intact part, offering fascinating penetration opportunities into cargo holds now colonised by schools of grunts and snappers. Look out for the resident moray eels peeking from crevices. We’d suggest focusing on the engine room area; the machinery is slowly being overtaken by colourful sponges, a testament to the ocean's reclaiming power. Currents can be noticeable, so this isn't a beginner’s spot, but for experienced divers keen on a substantial, historical wreck, the Principe is our top pick in the region.