Funchal: Advanced Scuba Diving Afonso Cerqueira Wreck

The Afonso Cerqueira is an 85-meter ship turned into an underwater reef, and the chance to explore its hull makes this a more distinctive Madeira outing than a standard coastal swim. At a maximum depth of 30 meters, this is a serious scuba experience for certified divers, not a try-it-for-the-first-time activity.

I like two things in particular: you get to see marine life using a shipwreck as its home, and the advertised route includes interior spaces such as the engine room and cafeteria. The boat ride from Funchal adds open-water time before you reach the wreck, with Madeira’s coast in view.

One point to check before booking is the timing. The activity is described as two hours, while the route details allow 2.5 hours for the underwater stop, so confirm the expected total with the center. You’ll also need recent scuba experience and your own gear or money to rent it.

• An 85-meter wreck: The Afonso Cerqueira gives you a substantial ship to explore, rather than a small scatter of debris.
• A protected artificial reef: The sunken ship now supports marine life as part of an underwater national park.
• A maximum depth of 30 meters: You must be certified, have at least six logged scuba outings, and have been underwater within the past 12 months.
• Ship interiors are part of the plan: The engine room, cafeteria, and captain’s deck are named areas to explore.
• A boat trip from Funchal: Your outing begins at Azul Diving Center Madeira and heads out toward Cabo Girão.
• A few extra costs: The €64 price includes the boat, tank, weights, and insurance, but not rental equipment or the €3 park fee.

The Afonso Cerqueira, More Than a Sunken Hull

Madeira’s Afonso Cerqueira wreck is the central reason to book this outing. At 85 meters long, the former ship offers more scale and structure than a simple reef site. You can swim alongside the hull, then explore sections named in the route, including the engine room, cafeteria, and captain’s deck.

The ship has become an artificial reef and part of a protected underwater park. That changes the feel of the visit: you are not only looking at a vessel below the surface, but also at a place where marine life has made a home. The exact animals you see are not specified, so go for the wreck and treat any wildlife encounters as a bonus rather than a promise.

There is also a useful bit of context for anyone who likes to understand what they are seeing. One account of the wreck describes it as having been sunk seven years earlier, a reminder that this is a relatively recent addition to the seabed, not an old vessel left there for generations. The ship’s scale and intact named areas give the site its appeal.

The interior access is a major draw, but it also makes this an outing for confident, properly qualified scuba divers. You need to follow your instructor’s direction and respect the limits of your training. The supplied information does not spell out exactly which compartments are entered on every trip, so ask the center what conditions and the day’s plan will allow.

From Azul Diving Center to Cabo Girão

The outing starts at Azul Diving Center Madeira. From there, you take a boat out from the coast toward the open sea and the wreck near Cabo Girão. The ride is part of the day, not just a transfer: you get the sea air, a view back toward Madeira, and the transition from shore plans to an offshore scuba outing.

The route identifies Cabo Girão as the stop, with the Afonso Cerqueira as the underwater focus. The published duration is two hours, but the route details also give 2.5 hours for the scuba portion. Since those figures do not match neatly, ask whether the stated duration covers the boat ride as well as the time below the surface. That small clarification helps you plan the rest of your day without guessing.

The boat ride is included in the price, as are a 12- or 15-liter air tank charged to 200 bars, a weight system, and insurance. The center provides an English-speaking instructor. The information does not state the group size, the boat’s facilities, or whether a particular tank size is available on request, so check directly if any of those details matter to you.

Inside the Ship: Engine Room, Cafeteria, Captain’s Deck

The advertised exploration moves beyond a swim around the outside of the wreck. You may get to inspect the engine room, cafeteria, and captain’s deck, three spaces that help make the ship feel like a vessel with a working past rather than an anonymous underwater structure.

The engine room is likely to appeal to anyone curious about the ship’s machinery and layout. The cafeteria offers a very different way to picture daily life aboard. And the captain’s deck gives the wreck a sense of human scale: a working ship had people, routines, and a chain of command, not just steel and equipment.

That said, an interior route is not the same as a casual walk-through. You are underwater, working within the limits of your certification and the conditions on the day. Keep your expectations practical: the site is a wreck exploration, not a museum visit, and visibility or access to particular spaces is not guaranteed in the information provided.

A previous participant praised the wreck itself and described it as a memorable activity. That fits the basic appeal here: this is a chance to add a substantial wreck to your scuba log, while seeing how a sunken ship has become a habitat. If you prefer open water over enclosed spaces, you can still appreciate the 85-meter hull from outside.

Who Can Take Part, and What to Bring

This activity is only for certified divers. The minimum level is Open Water diver or equivalent, and you must have at least six logged scuba outings and have been underwater within the last 12 months. Bring proof of your certification. If you do not meet those conditions, this is not the right outing.

Those requirements are sensible for a wreck at a maximum depth of 30 meters, especially when the route may include parts of the ship’s interior. An Open Water card alone is not enough if you have not been active recently or have fewer than six logged outings. If you are uncertain whether your qualification is equivalent, contact Azul Diving Center before reserving.

Scuba equipment is not included, though you can rent it directly at the shop. The included tank and weights cover two important basics, but you should confirm what rental items you need and what they cost before arrival. The €3 national park fee is also extra.

The activity is not suitable for anyone without certification. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. There is no hotel pickup, and food and drinks are not included, so plan to reach the center yourself and bring anything you need before or after the boat trip.

Is $64 Good Value?

At $64 per person, the price covers the boat ride, air tank, weight system, and insurance. For a certified diver, that is a useful package for reaching a specific wreck site and exploring a protected artificial reef. It also gives you an opportunity to record a wreck outing, which may be a worthwhile addition if you are building experience beyond ordinary reef visits.

The price is not the full cost if you need rental gear. Add the €3 national park fee, too. The listing does not provide rental rates, so a diver without equipment should ask for the complete total before booking. If you already own the gear you need, the listed rate is easier to assess because the main transport and tank costs are covered.

The main value question is whether you want a wreck visit specifically. If you are keen to see the ship’s interior and swim along a long hull, the price has a clear purpose. If your priority is a long session underwater, take note of one participant’s comment that the time felt about ten minutes short and that more air would have been welcome. That is a useful reminder to ask about expected time below the surface and tank options, rather than assuming the outing will last as long as your air supply allows.

The center’s staff have also been praised for being helpful and considerate, with the guides described as strong. That matters on a wreck outing, where clear instructions and attentive supervision are practical needs, not just nice extras. Names mentioned in connection with the team include Oreo, Vladimir, Ged, and Jack, though you should not assume any particular person will lead your trip.

The activity has a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 22 ratings. That is an encouraging signal, especially alongside praise for the staff and the wreck, but it does not settle the details that matter most to you: duration, rental costs, and which parts of the ship you can enter on the day.

Planning the Day Without Guesswork

There are a few details worth sorting out before you set off. First, confirm the actual schedule. The advertised duration is two hours, yet the route description gives 2.5 hours for the underwater stop. Ask how long the whole outing lasts, including the boat ride, and how much time is normally spent in the water.

Second, ask about equipment rental. The air tank and weights are included, but other scuba equipment is not. The center rents equipment on site, but rental prices and what you may need are not specified. A quick check prevents the €64 headline price from turning into a surprise at the shop.

Third, ask about the planned route inside the wreck. The engine room, cafeteria, and captain’s deck are listed as areas to explore, but the specific route can depend on conditions and the group. If one particular area is the reason you are booking, make that clear when you speak with the center.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Starting times depend on availability. These terms offer some flexibility, but they do not replace checking the dive requirements or confirming your gear and schedule.

Should You Book This Wreck Trip?

Book it if you are a recently active, certified scuba diver who wants a substantial shipwreck, not just another reef swim. The Afonso Cerqueira’s 85-meter hull, protected reef setting, and named interior spaces make it a specific and appealing reason to get out on the water from Funchal.

Think twice if you are newly certified but have not logged six outings, have not been underwater in the past year, or want a long, predictable session. The timing needs clarification, equipment rental costs extra, and underwater access can depend on the day. If you meet the requirements and are happy to confirm those details, this is a promising way to add Madeira wreck exploration to your log.

FAQ

How much does the Afonso Cerqueira wreck trip cost?

The listed price is $64 per person. Rental equipment and the €3 national park fee are not included.

How long does the activity last?

The activity is listed as two hours, while the route details allow 2.5 hours for the scuba stop. Confirm the total schedule with the center before booking.

Do I need a scuba certification?

Yes. You need an Open Water certification or equivalent. The activity is not suitable for uncertified divers.

Are there additional experience requirements?

Yes. You must have at least six logged scuba outings and must have been underwater within the last 12 months.

How deep is the wreck?

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

What equipment is included?

The price includes a boat ride, a 12- or 15-liter air tank at 200 bars, a weight system, and insurance. Other equipment is not included but can be rented at the shop.

What parts of the ship can I explore?

The advertised route includes the engine room, cafeteria, and captain’s deck, along with swimming alongside the wreck.

Is transport from my hotel included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included. The activity starts at Azul Diving Center Madeira.