Berlenga Grande - Algarve & Berlengas

Berlenga Grande. We love this place. It's a proper adventure just getting there, a boat ride out to this rugged island reserve off the Portuguese coast, all dramatic cliffs and the kind of sea air that really wakes you up. Once you're in, it’s a world of granite caves and arches, not your typical coral reef, but fantastic in its own right. Our favourite part is the light play in the bigger caverns, shafts of sunlight cutting through the water, illuminating schools of black sea bream and pandora. It’s an intermediate dive, currents can pick up, so keep an eye on the dive brief. You’ll find plenty of wrasse darting about, and if you’re lucky, maybe a moonfish gliding by in the bluer water. We’ve even seen razorbills and Atlantic puffins on the surface during safety stops, a real treat. This site is brilliant for divers who appreciate dramatic topography and a bit of mystery over flashy colours. It feels wild, untamed.

Location
Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
39.410000, -9.510000
Type
cave
Maximum Depth
5-30m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: Berlengas

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 Berlenga Grande

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 Berlenga Grande

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