Beta 23
Protected Area
Recife do Algarve - Pedra do Valado
Why dive here
With 116+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - Beta 23 offers some of Algarve & Berlengas's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 15-19°C, warmest June, October, November.
The Beta 23, sitting upright at 21 metres, feels like a time capsule. She’s a trawler, about 20 metres long, and the fact that she’s so intact makes her incredibly engaging, even for newer divers. We love poking around the wheelhouse, which is still largely there. You can peer inside, imagine the skipper at the helm. What really sells Beta 23 for us, though, is the marine life that's made her home. There are always clouds of damselfish flitting about the superstructure, and if you look closely into the shadowed nooks, you’ll usually spot conger eels – some surprisingly large ones – coiled up, eyes watching you pass. Octopus often camouflage themselves on the hull, their skin rippling to match the rust. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for photographers or anyone keen to really absorb a wreck without fighting current. Our advice? Go slow, let your eyes adjust to the details. The real treasures here are in the small discoveries.
Typical Beta 23 Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 21m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Beta 23 Wreck History
Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
unknown
The origin of the wreck known as "Beta 23" is something of a mystery, making it an intriguing dive off Portugal's Algarve coast. Lying at a comfortable depth of 21 meters, this site is accessible to a wide range of divers. There is no recorded history of a vessel with this name sinking here, leading to speculation about its past. It may have been a modern vessel or piece of equipment intentionally scuttled to create an artificial reef.
Whatever its story, Beta 23 now serves as a fantastic habitat for the region's marine life. Divers can explore its structure, which has become encrusted with life over the years. Its moderate depth allows for ample bottom time to search for conger eels, octopus, and schools of bream that have made the wreck their home. It's a perfect dive for those who enjoy the simple pleasure of exploring an underwater structure and observing the nature that has claimed it.
Nearest Dive Centres to Beta 23
Dive shops near Beta 23
DiveSpot
EasyDivers Unipessoal Lda
Diver´s Cove Portugal
Surf
Buddy Dive and Friends
TRIBEMAR SCUBA DIVING
Reviews for Beta 23
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Beta 23
Beta 23 Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Beta 23, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (37.92, -8.81) (40km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
19°C
65°F · Range: 16.7–20.2°C
Air Temperature
18°C
65°F
Wind Speed
8.24 m/s
16.0 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1017.4 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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