Reefwander

Salvador & Baía de Todos os Santos · Brazil · Wreck

Cavo Artemidi

Brazil's largest diveable wreck, a 161 m bulk carrier lost in 1980

The Cavo Artemidi is a Greek bulk carrier, built in Germany in 1959 and about 161 m long, that ran aground and sank off Salvador in September 1980. It is the largest diveable wreck in Brazil and the main wreck dive of the city, reaching 30 m at its deepest, with visibility that can reach 40 m.

Also known as Artemidi.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Cavo Artemidi: typical dive to 30 m (to 100 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit30 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

13.0539° S, 38.5224° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.

The dive

The wreck no longer dives as one intact ship. In 1998 most of its deck was still whole; by 2011 much of the bow was buried and broken into debris, and divers could no longer pass between the rudder and the propeller shaft, while from midships to the stern the whole structure still stood. The deepest parts reach 30 m.

Visibility can reach 40 m, and was at least 20 m in blue water in July 2011. Rays, three large octopus and several stonefish have been seen on the wreck, along with angelfish, shoals of sergeant majors, mackerel and bonito.

The wreck

Vessel
Cavo Artemidi
Type
Bulk carrier
Length
161 m (528 ft)
Built
1959
Sunk
1980
Cause
Ran aground and sank off Salvador
Lies
Bow buried and broken by 2011; midships to stern still standing, to 30 m

Marine life and season

  • Stingrays
  • Octopus & cuttlefish
  • Reef fish swarms
Month-by-month season rating for Cavo Artemidi
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
GoodGoodGoodFairFairFairGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood

Season follows Salvador & Baía de Todos os Santos: Diving runs all year; April to June is Salvador's rainy season, so July to March is the easier window for a trip.

Know before you go

  • Several stonefish live on the wreck.
  • The deepest parts reach 30 m.

Dive videos

Cavo Artemidi · OlharFilmes on YouTube

Questions divers ask

How deep is the Cavo Artemidi wreck in Salvador?+

The Cavo Artemidi reaches 30 m at its deepest. The bulk carrier, about 161 m long, is the largest diveable wreck in Brazil.

When did the Cavo Artemidi sink?+

The Greek bulk carrier ran aground and sank off Salvador in September 1980.

Sources

  1. Pontos de Mergulho - Bahia de Todos os Santos — Águas Abertas
  2. Nordseewerke Massengutfrachter 17.100 tdw — Wikipedia (de)
  3. Naufrágio Cavo Artemidi — Brasil Mergulho

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