AREIERO DO TEJO
Protected Area
Estuário do Tejo
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) - AREIERO DO TEJO offers some of Algarve & Berlengas's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 15-19°C, warmest June, October, November.
The Areieiro do Tejo, shallow at just 5m, is one of our favourite wreck dives in the Algarve for its accessibility and surprising character. It’s a lighter vessel, and while the hull is largely broken, there's still plenty of structure to explore. We love drifting over the twisted metal, imagining its working life before it found its final resting place. The wreck has become a true artificial reef; expect to see schools of juvenile sea bream darting through the ribs, crabs scuttling in crevices, and anemones clinging to every available surface. It’s a superb dive for newer wreck enthusiasts, or photographers looking for a relaxed, shallow shoot with interesting light. We’d suggest going at high tide for the best visibility and less surge, as the site can get a bit churned up otherwise. It’s not about grand scale here, but the intimate details and the sheer amount of life that calls this old boat home.
Typical AREIERO DO TEJO 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.
AREIERO DO TEJO Wreck History
Year Sunk
1986
Vessel Type
barge
Cause
storm
The AREIERO DO TEJO, which translates to "Sand Dredger of the Tagus," was a vital piece of machinery for maintaining the navigable channels of Lisbon's Tagus River. This hardworking dredger spent its life scooping sand and silt from the riverbed, ensuring safe passage for the countless ships visiting the Portuguese capital. Its career came to an abrupt end on a stormy day in January 1986, when powerful waves overwhelmed the vessel at the mouth of the river, sending it to the bottom.
Today, the AREIERO DO TEJO lies in just 5 meters of water, so shallow that parts of its superstructure can break the surface on a low tide. This makes it an exceptionally accessible site, perfect for snorkelers, freedivers, and novice scuba divers. The wreck is a vibrant artificial reef, its metal framework crusted with marine growth and teeming with fish that have taken refuge within its hull. Its shallow, sunlit location and the dramatic story of its demise make the AREIERO DO TEJO a fascinating and beautiful dive into Portugal's maritime heritage.
Nearest Dive Centres to AREIERO DO TEJO
Dive shops near AREIERO DO TEJO
Camara Lisboa Clube
Escola de Mergulho de Lisboa
Nautilus-Sub
Didactic Turtle - Dive School & Tech Services
CNOCA
Dive Club Cipreia - Outprostore LISBOA/ALFRAGIDE
Reviews for AREIERO DO TEJO
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for AREIERO DO TEJO
AREIERO DO TEJO Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for AREIERO DO TEJO, 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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