Barco das Telhas (Wreck) - Algarve & Berlengas

Barco das Telhas isn't your average Algarve wreck. This isn't some pristine, intact vessel. Instead, it’s a debris field, scattered after likely hitting a reef and breaking up. We’re talking tiles, broken ceramic, and what looks like old roof shingles – hence the "Barco das Telhas" or "Tile Boat." It’s at 34 metres, making it an expert dive, and honestly, the visibility here can be… challenging. You often drop through a murky thermocline and suddenly, the broken pieces of the wreck emerge from the gloom. But that’s its charm. The broken nature of it means lots of nooks and crannies. We’ve found huge conger eels nestled in the larger sections, their heads poking out, thick as your arm. Octopus are common, often camouflaged against the barnacle-covered ceramic. It’s a rummage, not a swim-through, and that’s why we love it. Keep your buoyancy dialled in; the silty bottom kicks up easily. We’d suggest going with a local guide who knows the specific areas where the bigger pieces lie. It's for those who appreciate history and the quiet hunt for marine life in less-than-perfect conditions, a real exploration.

Location
Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
38.429900, -9.096500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
34m
Difficulty
Expert

Wreck History - Barco das Telhas (Wreck)

Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The name of this wreck, 'Barco das Telhas,' translates from Portuguese as the 'Ship of the Tiles,' offering a direct clue to its identity and final cargo. Lying at a depth of 34 meters, this site is believed to be the remains of a historical cargo vessel that foundered while transporting a payload of roof tiles. While the ship's wooden hull has long since disintegrated, its cargo remains, scattered across the seabed as a permanent testament to its final, ill-fated voyage. This is a dive for more experienced divers, offering a glimpse into Portugal's rich maritime trading history.

Descending onto the site, divers are greeted by the unusual sight of countless tiles carpeting the seafloor, now colonized by marine life. The wreck provides a rich habitat for conger eels, lobsters, and octopuses, which hide among the debris. The remnants of the vessel serve as an artificial reef, attracting schools of fish and offering a unique underwater landscape that blends history with vibrant marine biology.

Marine Protected Area: Arrabida

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 Barco das Telhas (Wreck)

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 Barco das Telhas (Wreck)

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