Funchal: Advanced Scuba Diving Afonso Cerqueira Wreck

The main draw here is simple: you get to swim around and inside the 85-meter Afonso Cerqueira, a former ship now resting off Madeira as an artificial reef. At a depth of up to 30 meters, you can inspect the engine room, cafeteria, and captain’s deck rather than merely circling the hull.

I like the boat ride from Funchal and the chance to log a proper wreck experience in a protected marine setting. I also like that the outing is compact, with the boat, tank, weights, and insurance included. The catch is that rental gear and the €3 national park fee cost extra, and one experienced customer found the underwater time about 10 minutes shorter than hoped.

Key points to know

• The Afonso Cerqueira is 85 meters long: You have a substantial wreck to explore, including interior sections.
• The site reaches 30 meters: You need at least an Open Water certification or equivalent, plus six logged outings and recent experience within the last 12 months.
• The boat ride is part of the experience: You leave from Azul Diving Center Madeira and head out from the coast toward open sea.
• The included kit is limited: A 12 or 15-liter tank at 200 bars, weights, the boat trip, and insurance are covered. Other equipment is rented separately.
• The reef has protected status: Bring €3 for the national park fee and expect marine life around the sunken ship.
• The staff receive strong marks: The center has a 4.9 rating from 22 reviews, with Oreo, Vladimir, Ged, and Jack singled out for helpful service.

Meeting the Afonso Cerqueira off Funchal

You begin at Azul Diving Center Madeira, the base for the boat trip. From there, the outing heads away from Funchal’s coast and toward the open sea, giving you a short change of scene before the underwater work begins.

The Afonso Cerqueira is not a small wreck that disappears into the distance after one quick pass. At 85 meters long, it gives you a proper route around a ship, with the option to inspect parts of the hull from outside and enter selected areas inside.

The ship has become an artificial reef and part of an underwater national park. That matters because the attraction is not only the steel structure. Fish and other sea life use the wreck as shelter, so your view changes as you move from the outer hull to the interior spaces.

The supplied plan places the main stop near Cabo Girão and allows about 2.5 hours for the water portion, while the activity is advertised as two hours overall. Treat the schedule as an approximate guide rather than a promise of a fixed number of minutes underwater. A previous customer felt the actual outing finished about 10 minutes earlier than expected, especially because extra air would have allowed more time.

What the boat ride adds to the outing

The boat trip is short enough to keep the day focused, but it still gives you the feeling of leaving the island behind. You can expect the ocean breeze and an open-water setting before reaching the wreck site.

This is useful for another reason: the boat takes you directly to a site that you could not reach by simply walking into the sea from Funchal. The trip turns the wreck into a dedicated half-day-style activity without making you spend an entire day on the water.

Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to Azul Diving Center Madeira. Food and drinks are also not supplied. Plan accordingly, especially if you like to eat before a demanding underwater session. The information provided does not specify group size, boat type, or the exact departure time, so check availability and ask the center for those details before booking.

Inside the engine room and cafeteria

The best part of this outing is the chance to enter the ship rather than only view it from outside. The engine room gives you the strongest sense of the vessel’s former working life, while the cafeteria offers a very different kind of space to inspect.

You should follow the guide’s instructions closely inside the wreck. Enclosed ship spaces can feel more demanding than open water, and good control of your air, position, and pace matters. The activity is intended for certified participants, not for a first underwater lesson.

The captain’s deck adds a third perspective. After seeing the lower working areas, you can move toward the part of the ship associated with command and navigation. Together, these areas create a more varied route than a simple swim around the outside of a sunken vessel.

The description does not promise access to every room or corridor. Conditions, safety rules, and your own certification level may limit where you go. That is not a flaw in the experience. It is a reminder to view the wreck as a controlled underwater site, not an abandoned building that you can explore without limits.

Marine life around a protected artificial reef

The Afonso Cerqueira now functions as habitat, so the ship itself is only half the attraction. You might find marine life around the hull, in gaps in the structure, and near the reef areas created by the wreck.

The protected status gives the location added value. It places your underwater time within a managed marine setting rather than treating the ship as a stand-alone photo prop. The supplied information does not name particular species, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed encounter with a specific fish or animal.

Instead, think of the wildlife as part of the changing view. One moment you are looking at metalwork, and the next you may be watching movement around the ship. Visibility and sightings can vary, so the wreck remains the fixed attraction while the animals provide the surprise.

Who should book this Madeira wreck outing

This experience suits you if you already hold at least an Open Water certificate or an equivalent qualification and want to add a wreck to your logbook. You also need at least six logged outings and must have been underwater within the last 12 months.

Those rules are important. The wreck can be found as deep as 30 meters, which goes beyond the depth many newly certified participants are comfortable managing. You should be able to monitor your air, stay calm in an enclosed area, and follow an English-speaking instructor’s directions.

It is not suitable if you have no certification. It is also a poor match if you want a relaxed sightseeing cruise with no technical preparation. Bring proof of your scuba certification, and make sure your recent experience meets the center’s requirement.

The activity may suit an experienced participant who has only a short window in Funchal. You get a boat trip, an artificial reef, a large wreck, and several interior areas in one compact outing. It is less suitable if you want a long, slow session with generous extra air and unlimited time on the bottom.

What the $64 price really covers

At $64 per person, the price is reasonable for a focused wreck outing, but you need to calculate the full cost. The fee includes the boat ride to the site, a 12 or 15-liter tank filled to 200 bars, the weight system, and insurance.

It does not include the rest of your equipment. You can rent gear directly from the shop, but the supplied information does not give a rental price. Add the €3 national park fee as well. You also pay for your own transport to the center, food, and drinks.

The tank size gives you a choice between two common capacities, though the exact option may depend on availability and your arrangement with the center. If you use air quickly, ask about the tank and expected underwater time before you confirm. One customer specifically wished for more air and a few extra minutes.

The value improves if you already bring or own your equipment. If you need a full rental package, compare the final total with other wreck outings in Madeira. The basic price is not the complete price, but it does cover several important core items.

Service at Azul Diving Madeira

The center has a 4.9 rating from 22 reviews, and the strongest theme is the staff’s considerate, helpful approach. Oreo, Vladimir, Ged, and Jack were named positively, which gives you a useful point of contact when you arrive.

That human side matters in a wreck setting. You want clear instructions before entering the ship, a sensible pace underwater, and staff who take questions seriously. The available feedback points to a center that puts effort into customer care.

The experience is offered in English. If you need another language, ask before booking, since English is the listed instruction language. The provided information does not state the number of participants or whether you get a private guide, so confirm that if group size affects your decision.

The high rating should not make you ignore the time issue. Service can be excellent while the available air and schedule still limit your underwater minutes. Ask how long the group normally spends at the wreck and what tank size is planned for you.

How to prepare before you arrive

Bring your scuba certification. The center requires at least an Open Water qualification or equivalent, six logged outings, and at least one outing within the last year.

You should also budget for equipment rental if you do not have your own kit. Since rental equipment is not part of the advertised price, contact the shop in advance to arrange what you need rather than assuming every item is included.

Allow time to reach Azul Diving Center Madeira independently. There is no hotel pickup. Bring money or another accepted payment method for the €3 national park fee, and arrange food and water for before or after the outing because neither is provided.

Do not arrive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. That is a stated safety rule, and it is especially important when the route includes a ship interior and depths of up to 30 meters.

Booking flexibility and timing

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, according to the supplied booking terms. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Madeira schedule depends on weather, other activities, or changing arrival plans.

The stated duration is two hours, while the water portion is described as about 2.5 hours in the itinerary. Because those figures differ, confirm the expected start and finish when checking availability. Departure times are not fixed in the provided information.

That small timing check can prevent a common holiday problem: booking a boat activity too close to another appointment. Give yourself breathing room before and after the outing, especially since transport to the center is your responsibility.

Is the wreck worth adding to your Madeira plans?

I would choose this for the ship access and protected reef, not simply for the boat ride. The engine room, cafeteria, and captain’s deck give the experience substance, while the marine life keeps the route from feeling like a visit to a bare metal shell.

It is a good match for a certified scuba participant who has recent experience and wants a compact, memorable wreck outing. The price is fair if you already have much of your equipment, but less attractive once you add full rental costs, the national park fee, and transport.

Book it if you meet the certification rules, enjoy enclosed wreck spaces, and can accept that air supply may limit the final minutes. Skip it if you are uncertified, have not been underwater in the past year, or want a long session with no extra charges. For the right participant, this is one of Madeira’s more distinctive ways to spend a morning or afternoon at sea.

FAQ

How long does the Afonso Cerqueira experience last?

The activity is listed as two hours. The itinerary also describes about 2.5 hours for the scuba portion near Cabo Girão, so confirm the exact timing when you check availability.

Where does the activity start?

You meet at Azul Diving Center Madeira. Hotel pickup is not included.

What certification do I need?

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

How deep can the wreck be?

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

What parts of the ship can I explore?

The route includes the engine room, cafeteria, and captain’s deck, along with the outside of the 85-meter ship.

Is scuba equipment included?

The boat ride, a 12 or 15-liter air tank at 200 bars, weights, and insurance are included. Other scuba equipment is available to rent directly from the shop and is not included in the listed price.

Is there an extra national park charge?

Yes. The national park fee is €3 and is not included in the activity price.

Is instruction available in English?

Yes. English is the listed language for the instructor.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve now and pay later option is also available.