Dive-site story
The NRP Afonso Cerqueira (F488) was a Portuguese Navy corvette scuttled in September 2018 inside the Cabo Girão Marine Park off Madeira's southern coast. Resting upright on a clean sandy seabed, the vessel serves as an artificial reef and marine sanctuary. Penetration routes through the bridge, engine room, and cargo holds were prepared before sinking, giving divers with overhead environment training several access points alongside exterior tours of the intact deck cannons and radar mast.
Intact naval corvette sitting upright on open sand
Accessible interior corridors and bridge area cleared for wreck penetration
Swarming schools of pelagic fish patrolling the mast and superstructure
Protected marine park location beneath the dramatic Cabo Girão cliffs
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Late summer and autumn bring the warmest water temperatures and optimal visibility.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dusky GrouperEpinephelus marginatus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Yellowmouth BarracudaSphyraena viridensis | Common | ||||||||||||
| Atlantic TriggerfishBalistes capriscus | Common | ||||||||||||
| AmberjackSeriola dumerili | Common | ||||||||||||
| Round StingrayTaeniurops grabatus | Seasonal |
Marine forecast
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