CARVOEIRO - Algarve & Berlengas

Carvoeiro, down in the Algarve, isn't your typical reef dive. It’s a wreck site, and a good one, sitting at 35 metres. We love how the history here just sinks in, literally. This isn't some fresh-off-the-boat scuttling; it's a genuine piece of the past, now a home for a surprising amount of Mediterranean life. Dropping onto the Carvoeiro, the first thing you notice is the way the light filters through the relatively intact superstructure. You can spend a good chunk of your bottom time exploring the holds and peeking into what would have been the crew quarters. Visibility can be a bit hit-and-miss depending on the day, but when it’s good, you’ll spot moray eels tucked into every nook. Our favourite part? The schools of bream that flit through the skeletal remains of the deck. They’re completely unfazed by divers. It’s not a site for absolute beginners given the depth, but if you’re comfortable with a deeper profile and have a hankering for something a bit different, the Carvoeiro delivers. Just keep an eye on your no-decompression limits, because you’ll want to linger.

Location
Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
38.694782, -9.163083
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
35m

Marine Protected Area: Estuário do Tejo

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 CARVOEIRO

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 CARVOEIRO

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