Sao Jose
Protected Area
Área De Relevante Interesse Ecológico Orla Marítima
Why dive here
With 44+ marine species recorded in the area - including sea turtles - Sao Jose offers some of Fernando de Noronha's richest cave diving. Water ranges 27-29°C, warmest March, April, May.
Sao Jose isn't just another wreck. We love how she sits upright, almost posing for you, at about 28 metres. The command house is still there, largely intact, which is a real treat for a wreck in this area. You can even poke your head into the engine room, a tight squeeze, but worth it for the dark, cavernous feel and the clouds of glassy sweepers that burst out. The visibility averages around 18 metres, sometimes more, giving you a good view of the whole structure as you approach. We've seen some serious schooling action here, Atlantic bumpers and king mullet swirling around the superstructure, and grunts tucked into every crevice. Keep an eye out for the resident nurse sharks, usually just chilling on the sand nearby. Sao Jose is a firm favourite for those who appreciate a wreck with character and a decent shot at some big fish encounters.
Safety Notes
Overhead environment - never enter without proper cave/cavern training, redundant equipment, and a guideline.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Sao Jose
Sao Jose Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Sao Jose, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-3.84, -32.38) (0km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
27°C
81°F · Range: 26.5–27.9°C
Current Speed
29.15 cm/s
Direction: NW (329°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.035 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
36.39 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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