Funchal: Advanced Scuba Diving Afonso Cerqueira Wreck

The main attraction here is an 85-meter naval wreck resting off Madeira near Cabo Girao. You cruise from Azul Diving Center into open water, descend to a maximum of 30 meters, and explore a ship that now serves as an artificial reef and protected underwater park.

I like the combination of a proper wreck exploration and easy boat access from Funchal. I also like that the price includes the boat, air tank, weights, and insurance, while the engine room, cafeteria, and captain’s deck give you several distinct areas to inspect. The main consideration is experience level: you need certification, at least six logged sessions, and recent underwater practice. Also, the advertised duration says two hours, while the detailed schedule lists about two and a half.

Key points at a glance

• An 85-meter ship near Cabo Girao: The Afonso Cerqueira gives you a sizeable structure to explore rather than a small reef fragment.
• Access to the engine room and cafeteria: You can move beyond the outer hull and see key interior areas, subject to conditions and guide instructions.
• A maximum depth of 30 meters: This is for Open Water-certified participants or an equivalent qualification with recent experience.
• A protected artificial reef: Fish and other marine life now use the wreck as shelter.
• A $64 starting price: The boat, air tank, weights, and insurance are included, but equipment rental and the €3 national park fee cost extra.
• A highly praised local team: Oreo, Vladimir, Ged, and Jack are among the staff members associated with the center, with particular praise for their helpful, considerate approach.

Why the Afonso Cerqueira makes a good Madeira wreck outing

Madeira is famous for cliffs, volcanic scenery, and Atlantic water, but the Afonso Cerqueira gives you a different way to see the island. Instead of looking down from Cabo Girao, you head out from the coast and inspect a large ship below the surface.

The wreck is an artificial reef, and that matters. You are not simply looking at a sunken vessel. The steel structure offers shelter for marine life, creating a place where you can watch the relationship between a man-made object and the sea around it.

The ship is 85 meters long, so there is a real sense of scale. You can swim alongside the hull, then examine selected sections inside. The engine room, cafeteria, and captain’s deck each offer a different view of the vessel. I like this layout because it gives the session a clear purpose. You are not just hovering over a wreck and heading back up.

The ship is also relatively recent as an artificial reef. A dated account describes it as having gone underwater about seven years earlier, so do not expect the encrusted appearance of a wreck that has rested on the seabed for generations. That newer character can be part of the appeal. The shape of the ship remains easy to read, while marine life is beginning to claim it.

From Azul Diving Center to Cabo Girao

Your outing starts at Azul Diving Center Madeira, the base for Azul Diving Madeira, also known as Blue Safari Madeira. From there, you board the boat and leave the coast behind.

The ride is part of the experience, not just transport. You get open-water views and the Atlantic breeze before putting on your equipment. The supplied information does not give a precise boat time, group size, or launch procedure, so ask the center when you arrive if you need a tighter schedule.

The site is associated with Cabo Girao Cliff, one of Madeira’s best-known coastal landmarks. The cliff gives the excursion a clear geographic reference and helps place the wreck in the waters off the island’s south coast.

The itinerary describes around two and a half hours for the main outing, while the general activity details list two hours. Treat the timing as approximate and leave room in your day. This is especially useful if you plan a meal, airport transfer, or another booked activity afterward.

What the underwater route offers

Once you reach the site, the main attraction is the ship itself. You can travel along the outer hull and appreciate its full length, then look into the wreck’s interior spaces.

The engine room is one of the most interesting areas named for exploration. Machinery spaces help you understand how the ship worked, even when much of the equipment is no longer in use. They also tend to feel more enclosed than an open deck, so your comfort with overhead surroundings matters.

The cafeteria offers a very different atmosphere. It is an ordinary human space, which makes it easier to picture the vessel in service. A cafeteria may not sound as dramatic as the bridge or engine room, but these everyday rooms often give a wreck its character.

The captain’s deck provides another useful viewpoint. From here, you can focus on the ship’s layout and command area rather than machinery or crew facilities.

The description says you can enter the hull, but you should follow the instructor’s limits closely. Certification alone does not remove the need for careful buoyancy, controlled movement, and awareness of your air supply. If an interior section feels too tight or conditions change, the best choice is to remain outside and enjoy the hull.

Marine life on a protected artificial reef

The wreck has become a home for marine life, and the protected status helps explain why the site is valuable beyond its shape. Fish can use openings and sheltered sections of the vessel, while the surrounding structure gives you more points of interest than a bare seabed.

I would approach this as a wildlife encounter, not a guaranteed checklist. The exact animals you see can vary with visibility, season, weather, and your position around the ship. The supplied information promises a variety of marine life but does not name particular species, so be wary of anyone selling the trip around one guaranteed sighting.

The best way to enjoy the reef is to slow down. Look into openings, around railings, and beneath sections of the hull. A large wreck rewards patience. If you rush from one named area to the next, you may miss the smaller movement that makes an artificial reef feel alive.

The €3 national park fee is separate from the booking price. It is a small additional cost, but you should include it when working out the true total.

Certification and experience requirements

This is not an introductory lesson. You must hold at least an Open Water certification or an equivalent qualification. You also need at least six logged sessions and must have been underwater within the previous 12 months.

Those rules make sense for the site. The maximum depth is 30 meters, and the route may include entry into parts of the hull. You need to manage your breathing, buoyancy, equipment, and position without treating the instructor as a substitute for basic control.

Bring proof of your certification. The activity specifically lists your diving certification as something to bring, and forgetting it could create a needless problem at check-in.

The recent-practice rule is worth taking seriously. If your last session was a long time ago, a refresher elsewhere may be more suitable than booking this as your first return to the water. The Afonso Cerqueira is better for someone who already feels comfortable in open water and wants to add a wreck to their log.

What is included for $64

At $64 per person, the price is reasonable if you already own or rent the rest of your kit. The package includes:

• Boat transport to the site
• A 12 or 15-liter air tank filled to 200 bars
• A weight system
• Insurance

The tank size is useful information because air consumption varies from person to person. A larger tank can help, but it does not guarantee a longer underwater session. Your depth, breathing rate, buoyancy, and the group’s schedule all affect how long your air lasts.

Equipment rental is not included. You can rent gear directly from the shop, but the supplied details do not state the rental prices or exactly which items are available. Ask about a full package if you do not have your own regulator, buoyancy device, wetsuit, mask, fins, or other required equipment.

Food and drinks are also excluded, and hotel pickup is not offered. Plan to reach Azul Diving Center yourself and bring what you need for the outing. The center’s location is the starting and finishing point.

One dated account praised the staff and the quality of the session but found the underwater time about ten minutes shorter than expected. That same account wished for more air and a few extra minutes. I would keep this in mind when judging value. The price is fair for the included boat and tank, but do not book expecting an unlimited amount of time inside the wreck.

The people supporting the session

The center’s staff receive some of the strongest praise connected with this experience. Oreo, Vladimir, Ged, and Jack are names associated with the team, and a detailed account describes the staff as helpful and considerate.

That matters on a wreck outing. Good support is not only about friendliness. It includes clear briefings, sensible limits around the interior spaces, attention to air use, and help with equipment. The available information does not identify which named staff member will lead your particular session, so you should not assume a specific instructor when booking.

Instruction is provided in English. If English is your preferred language for safety information, that is a useful point in the center’s favor.

How to prepare before leaving Funchal

Bring your certification card or other proof of qualification, and be ready to show that you meet the recent-practice rule. Wear or bring suitable swim and changing items, although the activity details do not provide a full packing list.

You should not consume alcohol or drugs before the session. This is listed as a firm restriction and is also basic safety sense for any underwater activity.

I would also ask the center four practical questions before the day:

• Is the scheduled session closer to two hours or two and a half?
• What equipment is available for rental, and at what price?
• Which parts of the wreck can be entered on the day?
• Is the €3 park charge paid at the center or at the site?

These questions do not change the main appeal, but they help prevent surprises.

Weather and sea conditions can affect any boat-based Atlantic outing. The supplied information does not promise a particular visibility level or guarantee access to every interior section. Go with an open plan: the wreck itself is the focus, but the exact route can depend on safe conditions.

Who will get the most from this experience

This suits a certified Open Water participant who has logged at least six sessions and has been active within the last year. It is especially useful if you want to record a wreck experience without committing to a multi-day liveaboard or a long expedition.

It also suits people who enjoy structure. The ship gives you clear objectives: follow the hull, inspect the engine room, look at the cafeteria, and examine the captain’s deck. You can practice buoyancy and navigation around a substantial object rather than simply swimming across open seabed.

It is less suitable for an uncertified person, someone returning after a long break, or anyone hoping for a casual beginner lesson. The 30-meter limit and interior access call for calm, recent experience.

Families or companions who cannot participate should also note that there is no hotel pickup and no stated spectator arrangement. The supplied information is for certified participants, not for a mixed sightseeing boat trip.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is handy when your Madeira schedule still depends on weather or other plans.

Check the available start times before booking. The general duration is listed as two hours, but the detailed route gives about two and a half hours, so allow extra space around the appointment.

Should you book the Afonso Cerqueira wreck?

I would book this if you are already certified, recently active, and genuinely interested in wreck exploration. The 85-meter ship, protected reef setting, and access to named interior spaces give the outing more substance than a basic coastal swim.

The $64 price is a fair starting point because the boat, tank, weights, and insurance are included. Your final cost will rise with rental equipment and the €3 national park fee. I would also allow for the possibility that the underwater session may finish roughly ten minutes earlier than hoped, based on one detailed account.

Choose it for the wreck, the artificial reef, and the supportive Azul Diving Madeira team. Skip it if you need beginner instruction, hotel transport, meals, or a guaranteed long session. For an active Open Water-certified participant visiting Funchal, this is a focused way to add a serious Madeira wreck experience to your log.

FAQ

Where does the Afonso Cerqueira wreck excursion start?

It starts and finishes at Azul Diving Center Madeira.

How long does the activity last?

The general activity information lists two hours. The detailed schedule describes approximately two and a half hours, so allow extra time in your day.

How deep can I go?

The wreck can be reached at a maximum depth of 30 meters.

What certification do I need?

You need an Open Water certification or an equivalent qualification. You must also have at least six logged sessions and have been underwater within the last 12 months.

Is equipment included?

The air tank and weight system are included. Other diving equipment is not included, but you can rent equipment directly from the shop.

Is the boat ride included?

Yes. The boat ride to the wreck site is included in the price.

Is the national park fee included?

No. A separate €3 national park fee applies.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.