Live an Underwater Adventure in Recife by Diving in Pernambuco’s Artificial Shipwreck Park
Exploring the shipwrecks in Recife’s sea is more than just a tour; it’s an immersion in history, biodiversity, and the mysteries of the deep.
Recife, the vibrant capital of Pernambuco, exudes charm, beauty, and authenticity. Its warm, crystal-clear waters, ranging from turquoise to emerald green, are the perfect invitation to explore a true submerged treasure. Known as the Brazilian capital of shipwrecks, Recife is undoubtedly the most visited destination by divers from Brazil and around the world, with the Pernambuco Artificial Shipwreck Park being the main attraction.
There are more than 26 submerged vessels along the state’s coastline, with most of them found in the sea of Recife. In the Park, the ships are intentionally sunk to create artificial reefs, providing a luxurious home for various fish species on the ocean floor and an attraction for divers. With depths ranging from 25 to 50 meters, the dive sites are ideal for adventurers with international diving certification.
Get ready to explore submerged structures filled with marine life that tell fascinating stories, turning every dive into a magical journey!
CERTIFICATION
To live this adventure, you need to be a certified diver with international certification, allowing you to dive to at least 30 meters deep. With your certification in hand, simply book with an authorized company for this type of experience and enjoy every moment of this journey.
Tip: If you don’t have the international certification to dive in deeper waters, don’t worry. In Recife, you can take a course to earn the certification. That way, you can use your vacation to experience this incredible adventure in the Shipwreck Park!
A DAY OF SUBMERGED EMOTIONS
The tour starts early. Around 7:00 AM, the boat leaves from the Recife Yacht Club heading toward the Park. Along the way, the guide shares stories and interesting facts about the shipwrecks, as well as giving instructions for safe diving at the location.
Each boat trip includes two dives. That means you’ll dive at one site, return to the boat, and then dive at another site. The surface interval is a time to relax, enjoy the scenery, and recharge your energy. As the depth of the dives ranges between 25 and 30 meters, each dive typically lasts no more than 40 minutes.
Upon reaching the first dive site, the boat captain signals that it’s time to get ready to jump into the water. Put on all your gear and wait for the go-ahead to dive. The guide enters the water first and will lead you on this journey to the ocean floor.
Beyond the vastness of the ships, you will be dazzled by the rich marine life. Schols of small fish, nurse sharks, rays, turtles, lobsters, and octopuses are just a few of the animals you’ll see on the ocean floor. The hardest part will be wanting to return to the surface!
Around 3:00 PM, after experiencing two incredible underwater moments, the boat returns to the Yacht Club. During the journey back, the feeling of having lived one of the most amazing experiences of your life will take over. It truly is an unforgettable experience!
MOST VISITED SHIPWRECKS
The most visited shipwrecks by divers are the Servemar, Virgo, Taurus, Pirapama, and Servemar X. However, you can coordinate with the company to choose which vessels you’d like to visit, thus organizing the ideal itinerary for your adventure.
The Servemar is located near the coast of Recife, close to the famous Boa Viagem Beach. Sunk in 2004, it lies at a depth of 25 meters. There, you can observe a rich marine life, such as schoals of small fish, nurse sharks, and rays.
The Virgo and Taurus are a bit further from the coast, but it’s possible to visit both on a single dive. These two shipwrecks are located at the same point, 20 meters apart, and both lie at a depth of 25 meters. The Taurus was sunk in 2006, while the Virgo sank in 2017.
The Pirapama is one of the divers’ favorites. Sunk more than a century ago, it is now quite deteriorated, but it has developed a rich marine ecosystem over time.
The first ship intentionally sunk in Recife to create the Shipwreck Park was the Servemar X. It lies at a depth of 25 meters, and its interior is well preserved.
HIGHLIGHTS
Vitrine Visit Brazil Experience: Coral Trail – recreational diving activity in Recife and Porto de Galinhas shipwrecks.
HOW TO GET THERE
Recife/Guararapes International Airport
Aicá Diving
Aicá Diving is a diving center specializing in courses and experiences in Recife’s underwater world. With qualified instructors and top-of-the-line equipment, the company offers both recreational and technical dives. Want to have magnificent experiences? Visit Aicá Diving on Instagram.