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ANNE SOPHIE

The Anne Sophie wreck is deep. Let's get that out of the way first: 52 metres deep. But for those with the right training, this old yacht is a brilliant dive and our pick for a standout wreck in the Algarve. She went down in 1974 after springing a leak in a storm, sinking north of Cape St Vincent while being towed to shore. Now, she rests upright, and what we love about her is how intact she remains. You'll descend onto the deck, usually met by schools of sardines glinting in the shafts of light that still penetrate this far down. The wheelhouse is surprisingly open; you can poke your head in, imagining the chaos of her final moments. Our favourite detail is the mast, still standing, rising like a skeletal finger towards the surface, encrusted with jewel anemones and home to inquisitive conger eels. Keep an eye on your bottom time here; it’s easy to get lost in the details. The resident moray eels are often peeking from under plating, and sometimes you'll even spot a scorpionfish camouflaged on the hull. This dive really suits technical divers looking for a piece of history and a vibrant, albeit deep, artificial reef.