ALCHIMIST EMDEN
Protected Area
Sintra / Cascais
Why dive here
With 116+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - ALCHIMIST EMDEN offers some of Algarve & Berlengas's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 17°C.
Honestly, the Alchimist Emden isn't a dive site, not in the traditional sense. It's more of an incredibly dramatic, tragic landmark. Stranded right on the rocks north of Cabo Roca, it’s a constant reminder of the sea’s power. We've seen it from shore, battered by Atlantic swells, and you can practically feel the salt spray in your teeth just looking at it. The data points to a maximum depth of 2 metres, which tells you everything. This isn't somewhere you gear up and descend. It's a decaying hulk, a ghost of its former self, slowly being claimed by the ocean and the gulls. While we love a good wreck dive, this one is purely for observation from a respectful distance. It's a stark, powerful sight, particularly on a wild, grey day when the waves are crashing over its rusted hull. Think dramatic photography rather than scuba fins.
Typical ALCHIMIST EMDEN Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
ALCHIMIST EMDEN Wreck History
Year Sunk
1978
Vessel Type
tanker
Cause
grounding
The story of the Alchimist Emden is one of modern maritime disaster. Built in 1971, the German chemical tanker was only seven years old when she ran into trouble in February 1978. During a fierce storm, the vessel was driven onto the rocks just north of Cabo Roca, Portugal, the westernmost point of mainland Europe. The grounding caused a major environmental scare, with authorities concerned about a grave pollution threat and the potential for a catastrophic explosion from its volatile cargo. The ship broke apart under the relentless assault of the Atlantic waves.
Lying in just 2 metres of water, the wreck of the Alchimist Emden is not a traditional scuba dive but an intense shallow water or snorkelling experience. The site is a chaotic scrapyard of twisted metal, a testament to the immense power of the ocean. Divers and snorkelers can navigate the surge-swept wreckage, exploring the ship's mangled plates and machinery scattered across the rocky seabed. It serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of modern shipping and the unforgiving nature of the sea, offering a dramatically different kind of wreck exploration.
Nearest Dive Centres to ALCHIMIST EMDEN
Dive shops near ALCHIMIST EMDEN
Santa Cruz Dive House
SPOT Freedive
GRUPO RECREATIVO DE MATOS CHEIRINHOS
Didactic Turtle - Dive School & Tech Services
CascaisDive
Clube Naval de Cascais
Reviews for ALCHIMIST EMDEN
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ALCHIMIST EMDEN
ALCHIMIST EMDEN Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ALCHIMIST EMDEN, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (38.25, -9.07) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
16.71°C
62°F
Air Temperature
18.97°C
66°F
Wind Speed
9.58 m/s
18.6 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1016.1 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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