wreck

Log This Dive

Tocantins wreck

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.