BRETWALDA - Algarve & Berlengas

Oh, Bretwalda. She’s a proper old lady, built back in 1881, and you can feel that history the moment you drop down. Lying just north of Cape St. Vincent, she’s a steamship of some scale, around 97 metres long, which means there’s plenty to explore without feeling rushed. We love how the metalwork, even after all these decades, still holds her shape, letting you peek into cargo holds and imagine her journey from Blyth to Alexandria. The depth sits at 37 metres, so this is definitely one for experienced divers comfortable with deeper profiles. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, the light plays beautifully through the superstructure, illuminating the schools of small pelagic fish darting around. You’ll spot conger eels in the darker recesses, and octopus often cling to the more sheltered sections. Our favourite part? The bow, often adorned with colourful anemones, stands proud, a real photogenic moment if you’ve got steady hands and good buoyancy. It’s a proper wreck dive, satisfying for those who appreciate maritime history and the slow reclamation by the ocean.

Location
Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.070835, -8.991667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
37m

Wreck History - BRETWALDA

Year Sunk
1895
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
2,298 GRT

The SS Bretwalda was a British steamship constructed in 1881, a sturdy collier built for transporting coal across the world. In the summer of 1895, she was on a routine voyage, carrying a full load of coal from Blyth, England, destined for the bustling port of Alexandria, Egypt. The journey took her down the Atlantic coast of Europe, towards the strategic shipping lanes of the Mediterranean.

On August 23, 1895, as she navigated the waters near Portugal's Cape St. Vincent, a thick fog descended, severely limiting visibility. The ship's crew, unable to see the dangerous coastline, ran aground on submerged rocks about three miles north of the cape. The hull was breached, and the Bretwalda quickly foundered and sank, becoming another victim of this infamous stretch of coastline.

Today, the Bretwalda rests at a depth of 37 meters, making it an exciting dive for advanced divers. The wreck is broken into several large sections, with the bow and stern still recognizable. The most impressive features are the massive boilers, which stand upright from the seabed, creating a dramatic silhouette. The surrounding debris field is home to a rich variety of marine life, including conger eels, lobsters, and large schools of bream that patrol the ghostly remains.

Marine Protected Area: Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina

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 BRETWALDA

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 BRETWALDA

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