Tocantins wreck - Arraial do Cabo

The Tocantins wreck, sitting off Arraial do Cabo, is one of those dives that just sticks with you. We love it because it’s a proper wreck, not just some scattered debris. This old tugboat, sunk deliberately in the 1990s, rests on its side between 15 and 30 metres, making it accessible for advanced open water divers, though if you want to properly explore the deeper sections and swim-throughs, we’d suggest an advanced wreck specialty. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer scale. The hull is still remarkably intact, draped in colourful sponges and sea anemones. You can fin past the old bridge, imagining the crew, and then peer into the holds where schools of grunts and snappers hang out, using the shelter. Our favourite part is the engine room access point, a darker, quieter space where you’ll often find large dusky groupers lurking in the shadows. Look closely at the deck plating, too; we’ve seen some seriously chunky moray eels tucked into crevices there, and sometimes even a torpedo ray buried in the sand nearby. The visibility can vary, but on a good day, the light filters through the structure, making for some dramatic photo opportunities. We always recommend hitting this one in the morning before the wind picks up. It’s a dive that rewards slow, meticulous exploration.

Location: Arraial do Cabo, Brazil, South America
Coordinates: -24.482286, -46.677776
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 15-30m

Marine Protected Area: Área De Relevante Interesse Ecológico Ilhas Queimada Grande E Queimada Pequena

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

Nearest Dive Centres to Tocantins wreck

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

Estuarine Dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) - Whales & Dolphins
Sergeant-major (Abudefduf saxatilis) - Reef Fish
Demoiselle (Stegastes fuscus) - Reef Fish
Porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus) - Reef Fish
Caesar (Haemulon aurolineatum) - Reef Fish
South-American Silver Porgy (Diplodus argenteus) - Reef Fish
Ringneck Blenny (Parablennius pilicornis) - Reef Fish
Black-ear wrasse (Halichoeres poeyi) - Reef Fish
Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) - Reef Fish
Savigny's Brittle Star (Ophiactis savignyi)
Butterbun (Chaetodon striatus) - Reef Fish
Sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) - Seagrass & Algae
Seaweed Blenny (Parablennius marmoreus) - Reef Fish
Grunt (Haemulon steindachneri) - Reef Fish
Mangrove Tree Crab (Aratus pisonii) - Crabs & Lobsters
Comb Grouper (Mycteroperca acutirostris) - Reef Fish
Cook (Holocentrus adscensionis) - Reef Fish
Cluck (Pareques acuminatus) - Reef Fish
Spotted Goatfish (Pseudupeneus maculatus) - Reef Fish
thorny worm (Glycera americana) - Worms

Recommended Packing List for Tocantins wreck

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