Brazil, the fifth largest nation in the world, has a rich maritime history dating back to about 1500 CE. The ocean floor here is littered with wrecks, some diveable, and some not. With amazing marine life and fantastic underwater terrain, Brazil is a splendid place to dive. Let’s take a quick look at just five of the best wrecks the nation has to offer.
Dona Paula
Built in England, and used as a merchant ship for years before being refitted as a military frigate in 1825, the Dona Paula was part of the Brazilian Naval fleet. In October of 1827, the ship was sent from Rio de Janeiro to the Cabo Frio region to combat Argentinian pirates. While chasing the pirate brigantine, Dona Paula encountered heavy fog and ran aground. Today, the ship’s remains, including cannons and cannonballs, plus several deck fittings and a huge admiralty anchor, are scattered between two islands, in a sandy area that varies from 5-15 meters deep. An outstanding site for all divers, this inner bay area is well sheltered and ideal for underwater photography.
Affonso Penna
Built in 1910 in Belfast, the SS Affonso Penna worked as a passenger and cargo transport for a company called Lloyd Brasileiro, until March 2nd of 1943, when a Nazi U-boat torpedoed her off the coast of Bahia. 103 meters long, with a beam of just under 14 meters, this magnificent ship sunk quickly, taking 131 passengers and crew members with her to a watery grave. Located just off Porto Seguro, near the wreck of the Principessa Mafalda, the ship is home to green sea turtles and a splendid array of fish. Covered in colorful coral and sponges, she lies upright at depths between 10 and 15 meters.
Principessa Mafalda
An Italian luxury liner capable of carrying as many as 1,600 passengers at a time, the Principessa Mafalda was equipped with two triple expansion engines and had a top speed of 19 knots. She was lost just off Porto Seguro on October 25th of 1927, after one of her propeller shafts snapped, causing a leak and a subsequent boiler explosion. At the time, she was carrying 977 passengers and 287 crew; despite the fact that she stayed partially afloat for four hours and was aided by many other ships, a total of 305 passengers and 9 crew members lost their lives. Today, divers routinely find personal effects belonging to the passengers and crew, along with many other artifacts, while diving the Principessa Mafalda. Like the nearby Alfonso Penna, she lies at a depth of 10-15 meters and is home to a wealth of marine life.
Rosalinda Wreck
The wreck of the Rosalinda is another fantastic wreck in fairly shallow water; maximum depth here is just 20 meters. This ship is broken in half near the boilers, with the bow pointing down the reef slope. The holds and decks are wide open, making penetration simple for those who are qualified, and providing everyone else with a peek at her cargo, which consisted mainly of cement. There are many deck fittings, including winches and cranes, to see, and the entire wreck is teeming with life as are the two coral heads that sit nearby.
Corveta 17
A fantastic wreck for technical divers only, Corveta 17, which is also known as Corveta V-17 Ipiranga is sitting upright at depths between 42 and 63 meters. The ship struck an unmarked pinnacle in 1983 and drifted for eight hours prior to sinking; she is located a remote 340 kilometers off the coast of Brazil, and can only be reached by liveaboard. A true destination, this wreck has some permanent guide lines inside, but spaces are tight. 56 meters long, and built in 1953, the wreck is wreathed in coral and attracts a wide array of fish and other marine life. Her rudder, guns, and deck fittings are still intact, making for a fascinating and unforgettable dive.
These are just some of the excellent wrecks you’ll find when you dive Brazil; visibility is usually between 15 and 20 meters at most sites, though occasionally it opens up to as much as 30 meters. Be sure to spend some time exploring the many maritime museums and other topside attractions too, for even more insight into Brazil’s shipping history.