ATE QUE ENFIM - Algarve & Berlengas

ATE QUE ENFIM, meaning "at last" in Portuguese, is a wreck dive that really delivers. This old fishing vessel, sunk during heavy weather back in '85, sits upright at 16 meters, making it a fantastic dive for a range of experience levels. We love the feeling of history here, knowing the story of its loss, and it's particularly poignant when you consider the crew. The wreck itself is quite intact, a sturdy steel hull now completely encrusted. The wheelhouse is still discernible, and you can swim around the deck, peeking into what were once holds. Schools of small sea bream often hover around the superstructure, while moray eels have found comfortable homes in any dark crevice they can find. If you take your time, you'll spot nudibranchs crawling across the metalwork, their colours surprisingly vivid against the rust. Our favourite tip? Head out here on a calm day; the visibility can be stellar, letting you appreciate the wreck from a distance before getting up close. It's a proper wreck dive, full of character, and we think it's one of the best in the Algarve.

Location
Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.082000, -7.584667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
16m

Wreck History - ATE QUE ENFIM

Year Sunk
1985
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
storm

The ATE QUE ENFIM, whose name translates poignantly to "At Last," was a local fishing vessel from Tavira, Portugal. Its story is a somber reminder of the power of the sea. On February 20, 1985, the ship was caught in heavy weather off the Algarve coast and sank. In a tragic loss for the small fishing community, all but one of its five crew members were lost to the storm, making this wreck a solemn memorial site.

Today, the ATE QUE ENFIM rests at a depth of 16 meters, making it an accessible dive for Open Water certified divers and above. Exploring the wreck offers a glimpse into the life of a Portuguese fisherman, with the vessel's structure, though succumbing to time, still recognizable. It has transformed into a thriving artificial reef, its metal framework providing shelter for schools of fish, octopus, and conger eels. Divers can appreciate the quiet beauty of the site while paying silent respect to the fishermen who worked its decks.

Marine Protected Area: Ria Formosa / Castro Marim

Best Time to Dive in Algarve & Berlengas

The warmest water temperatures in Algarve & Berlengas occur in January, averaging 16.7°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 16.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 16.7°C (air: 13.9°C)
  • February: 16.7°C (air: 14.4°C)
  • March: 16.7°C (air: 14.4°C)
  • April: 16.7°C (air: 15.5°C)
  • May: 16.7°C (air: 16.9°C)
  • June: 16.7°C (air: 18.0°C)
  • July: 16.7°C (air: 18.7°C)
  • August: 16.7°C (air: 19.0°C)
  • September: 16.7°C (air: 19.3°C)
  • October: 16.7°C (air: 18.4°C)
  • November: 16.7°C (air: 16.7°C)
  • December: 16.7°C (air: 15.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Algarve & Berlengas

Nearest Dive Centres to ATE QUE ENFIM

Marine Life in Algarve & Berlengas

Home to 121 recorded species including 61 reef fish, 20 whales & dolphins, 14 sharks & rays, 7 crabs & lobsters, 4 other, 3 hard corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ATE QUE ENFIM

Based on average water temperature of 16.7°C.

  • Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 17°C water
  • Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories