wreck

Log This Dive

Barco das Telhas (Wreck)

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.