Almeida Carvalho (Wreck)
Protected Area
Ria de Alvor
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) - Almeida Carvalho (Wreck) offers some of Algarve & Berlengas's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 15-19°C, warmest June, October, November.
The Almeida Carvalho, resting upright at 28 meters, is our favourite kind of wreck – one with a story you can almost touch. We love how the deck planks still cling on in places, giving you a real sense of walking its length as you swim. As you descend, the sheer size begins to reveal itself, the bow rising out of the blue, often shrouded in schooling European pilchards. The holds are open, inviting exploration, and you'll often spot conger eels poking their heads out from shadowed corners, eyeing you with a lazy curiosity. Look closely and you’ll find nudibranchs crawling across the metalwork, a surprising splash of colour against the rust. The stern, in particular, is captivating, with the propeller still intact, creating a dramatic backdrop for photos. This wreck is perfect for intermediate divers who appreciate history and don't mind a slightly deeper profile. We’d suggest going early in the morning; the light filtering through the water adds an extra layer of magic to the visit.
Typical Almeida Carvalho (Wreck) Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 28m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Almeida Carvalho (Wreck) Wreck History
Year Sunk
2011
Vessel Type
warship
Cause
scuttled
Tonnage
1,485 GRT
The Almeida Carvalho began its long and distinguished career in 1944 as the USS Klickitat, a Patapsco-class gasoline tanker serving the United States Navy in the Pacific theater during the final stages of World War II. After the war, it was transferred to the Portuguese Navy in 1960, where it was renamed NRP Almeida Carvalho (A527) and converted into a hydrographic survey ship. For over four decades, it meticulously mapped the coastlines and seabeds for Portugal, contributing significantly to maritime safety and science.
After its decommissioning, the Almeida Carvalho was given a new mission. On October 21, 2011, it was purposefully scuttled off the coast of the Algarve as part of the ambitious 'Ocean Revival' project, creating one of Europe's premier artificial reef systems. Today, the vessel sits perfectly upright and fully intact on the sandy seabed at 28 meters. Divers can explore its bridge, decks, and open corridors, which were prepared for safe penetration. The wreck is a spectacular sight, already colonized by marine life and serving as a magnificent underwater monument to a vessel with a rich history in two navies.
Nearest Dive Centres to Almeida Carvalho (Wreck)
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Almeida Carvalho (Wreck)
Almeida Carvalho (Wreck) Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Almeida Carvalho (Wreck), sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (37.92, -8.81) (40km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
19°C
65°F · Range: 16.7–20.2°C
Air Temperature
18°C
65°F
Wind Speed
8.24 m/s
16.0 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1017.4 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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