B24 Liberator PB4Y - Algarve & Berlengas

The B24 Liberator PB4Y wreck off the Algarve coast is one of those dives that sticks with you. Dropping down, the sheer size of it immediately grabs your attention. This isn't just a pile of debris, it’s a proper aircraft, broken but still identifiable, sitting on the seabed. We love tracing the wing, imagining the sheer force that brought it down. The cockpit section is particularly poignant, a real window into history, and it’s become a haven for conger eels, their heads peeking out from the darker corners. Swimming around the fuselage, you’ll spot huge schools of barracuda often hanging motionless above the structure, catching the light just so. The metal skeleton provides plenty of nooks for octopuses, and if you’re patient, you might see them scuttling along, changing colour as they go. This site suits divers comfortable with a deeper profile and who appreciate the stories a wreck can tell. It's not about coral gardens here, it's about the tangible past and the marine life that has made it home. We’d suggest a slow descent, taking time to absorb the scale before focusing on the details.

Location
Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
36.980556, -8.005555
Type
wreck

Wreck History - B24 Liberator PB4Y

Year Sunk
1943
Vessel Type
aircraft
Cause
unknown

During the height of the Battle of the Atlantic, US Navy PB4Y-1 Liberators played a crucial role in hunting German U-boats. On November 30, 1943, this particular Liberator, attached to the US Navy's Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-110, was on an anti-submarine patrol off the coast of Portugal. The aircraft suffered a catastrophic engine failure, causing it to lose control and crash into the Atlantic. All ten crew members on board were lost in the incident.

The wreck of the Liberator now lies at a depth of around 30 meters off the Algarve coast. Due to the depth and potential for strong currents, this is a dive best suited for experienced divers. The aircraft is not intact, having broken up on impact, but the debris field is extensive. Divers can identify significant components, including the four powerful Pratt & Whitney engines, sections of the massive wing, landing gear, and parts of the fuselage. It serves as an underwater memorial to the airmen who patrolled these waters during World War II, a silent testament to the perils they faced far from the main battlefields.

Marine Protected Area: Ria Formosa

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 B24 Liberator PB4Y

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 B24 Liberator PB4Y

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