Vapor Bahia - Fernando de Noronha
Vapor Bahia isn't just a wreck; it's a piece of history you can swim through. We love how the story of this ship, a Brazilian cargo steamer sunk in 1948, still feels present amongst the twisted metal. The bow lies in about 20 metres, relatively intact, while the stern is shallower, breaking the surface at low tide – a real marker for the spot. What you'll find here is a riot of colour against the rust. Schools of snapper and jacks swirl around the superstructure. Look closer, and you'll spot moray eels tucked into crevices, sometimes peeking out from an old porthole. We’ve even seen nurse sharks napping under the main deck. It's a forgiving wreck dive, with plenty of swim-throughs that aren't too tight, making it perfect for those wanting to explore inside without feeling claustrophobic. The currents can pick up, so it’s always worth checking conditions before you jump in. Our favourite time to dive it? Early morning, before the dive boats really start to congregate, when the light dapples through the water column onto the wreck.
- Location
- Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, South America
- Coordinates
- -7.579767, -34.702534
- Type
- wreck
Marine Protected Area: Área De Proteção Ambiental De Santa Cruz
Best Time to Dive in Fernando de Noronha
The warmest water temperatures in Fernando de Noronha occur in April, averaging 29.1°C. The coolest conditions are in September at 26.9°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.1°C
- February: 28.6°C
- March: 28.9°C
- April: 29.1°C
- May: 28.7°C
- June: 28.2°C
- July: 27.4°C
- August: 27.0°C
- September: 26.9°C
- October: 27.1°C
- November: 27.6°C
- December: 27.9°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Fernando de Noronha
- Alvarenga
- Alvarenga - 15-30m (wreck)
- Alvarenga - 15-30m (cenote)
- Atlantis Divers
- Baixa Grande (reef)
- Baixa Grande - 5-12m (reef)
- Baixinha (reef)
- Baixinha (reef)
- Baixios de Jaguaribe (reef)
- Baixios de Jaguaribe - 5-15m (reef)
- Baixo de Fóra (reef)
- Baixo de Fóra - 5-20m (reef)
- Baixo do Japu - 5-20m (reef)
- Baixo do Japu (reef)
- Baixo do Rio do Fogo - 5-20m (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Vapor Bahia
- Aicá Diving
- Aquaticos Centro De Mergulho - ["PADI"]
- Atlantis Divers - PADI, SSI
- Let's Dive
- MIURAMAR - SSI
- Serrambi Resort - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Fernando de Noronha
Home to 45 recorded species including 42 reef fish, 1 seagrass & algae, 1 hard corals, 1 other.
Notable Species
- Black-ear wrasse (Halichoeres poeyi) - Reef Fish
- Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus) - Reef Fish
- Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
- Kwab (Sparisoma radians) - Reef Fish
- Grunt (Haemulon plumierii) - Reef Fish
- Agassiz's Parrotfish (Sparisoma frondosum) - Reef Fish
- Gray Parrotfish (Sparisoma axillare) - Reef Fish
- Brazilian wrasse (Halichoeres brasiliensis) - Reef Fish
- Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru) - Reef Fish
- Demoiselle (Stegastes fuscus) - Reef Fish
- Cook (Holocentrus adscensionis) - Reef Fish
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Sergeant-major (Abudefduf saxatilis) - Reef Fish
- Noronha wrasse (Thalassoma noronhanum) - Reef Fish
- Porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Spotted Goatfish (Pseudupeneus maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Hogfish (Bodianus rufus) - Reef Fish
- Shoalgrass (Halodule wrightii) - Seagrass & Algae
- Colon Goby (Coryphopterus dicrus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Vapor Bahia
Based on average water temperature of 28.0°C, currents 29 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins (stiff blade recommended for strong currents)
- 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