Vapor de Baixo - Fernando de Noronha

Vapor de Baixo, for us, is one of those wrecks that just *feels* alive. It’s not about intricate exploration here; the site itself is a bit scattered, the wooden hull having long since surrendered to the ocean. What you get instead is a fantastic example of a shipwreck transformed into a living reef. We love hovering over the remaining ribs and machinery, watching schools of sergeant majors dart through the gaps, their yellow tails flashing. The site sits in a relatively sheltered bay, so conditions are often calm, making it a great spot even if you're not a seasoned wreck diver. You’ll spend most of your time around 15-20 metres, giving you plenty of bottom time to soak it all in. Look closely amongst the coral growth on the metal parts; we’ve often spotted moray eels peeking out, and the occasional nurse shark cruises by, unbothered. It's not a deep, dark penetration dive, but a vibrant, easily accessible wreck teeming with the smaller, more charismatic reef residents. Our favourite part is just drifting, letting the gentle surge carry us over the remnants, imagining the ship in its former glory while being completely present in its current, beautiful state.

Location
Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, South America
Coordinates
-8.050000, -34.783333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15-30m

Marine Protected Area: Área De Relevante Interesse Ecológico Orla Marítima

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

Nearest Dive Centres to Vapor de Baixo

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

Recommended Packing List for Vapor de Baixo

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