Veleiro Yemanja - Fernando de Noronha

The 200 Wooden Shipwreck off the Keys isn't about deep penetration or pristine intactness. Instead, it’s a beautiful scattering of history, spread across the sandy bottom, inviting slow exploration. We love how the timbers have softened with time, becoming part of the seascape, now home to a surprising number of critters. You’ll find a tangle of wooden ribs and planking, barnacle-encrusted and draped in sponges. Look closely in the crevices; we’ve spotted moray eels peeking out, and sometimes a grumpy Goliath grouper will eye you from beneath a larger section. It's not a dive for chasing big pelagics, but rather for those who appreciate the quiet beauty of decay and the small ecosystems it fosters. Visibility here can vary, so we always try to hit it on a calm day for the best light on the ghostly timbers. It’s an easy, relaxing dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to drift and soak in a bit of underwater history.

Location
Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, South America
Coordinates
-8.146100, -34.773700
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Veleiro Yemanja

Vessel Type
sailing ship
Cause
unknown

The Florida Keys are a graveyard of maritime history, and the "200 Wooden Shipwreck" is one of its countless anonymous residents. Without a name or a known history, this dive site evokes the romantic age of sail and the perils of navigating these treacherous, hurricane-prone waters. Was it a merchant schooner caught in a sudden squall, or a vessel that simply lost its way on the reef? The answers are likely scattered across the seabed.

Today, divers are greeted by the ghostly remains of a bygone era. Over the centuries, the ocean has reclaimed most of the wooden hull, leaving behind a trail of ballast stones, scattered timbers, and heavily encrusted metal fittings. Exploring the debris field feels like a treasure hunt, where every find tells a small part of the ship's story. The wreck is now a thriving habitat for corals, sponges, and a host of reef fish, offering a dive that is as much about marine biology as it is about maritime archaeology.

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 Veleiro Yemanja

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 Veleiro Yemanja

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