CORNISHMAN - Algarve & Berlengas
The Cornishman is more than just a wreck; it’s a proper structure to explore. We love how it still looks like a ship, not just a pile of scrap. The bow sits shallower, perfect for an initial peek, then you follow the deck down as the stern slopes to 20 metres. Inside, you can penetrate the engine room and accommodation block, which feels surprisingly spacious, though always remember your torch and follow your line. We’ve seen conger eels coiled in doorways and schools of sea bream darting through the wheelhouse. It’s an ideal site for advanced open water divers keen on wreck penetration, offering enough complexity without feeling claustrophobic. If you’re lucky, and the visibility is up, the sunlight filtering through the portholes creates an eerie, beautiful light show.
- Location
- Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 36.976166, -7.859389
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 0m
Marine Protected Area: Ria Formosa
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
- 2 Anchors
- 2 Ancoras - 20m
- 3 Milhas - 10m
- ACOR - 20m (wreck)
- ALCHIMIST EMDEN - 2m (wreck)
- Almas - 10-25m (reef)
- Almeida Carvalho (Wreck) - 28m (wreck)
- ALMIRANTE VALDES - 21m (wreck)
- AMBOIM - 2m (wreck)
- ANNE SOPHIE - 52m (wreck)
- Arcanzil - 13m
- Archeological Site Faro - A - 10-25m (wreck)
- AREIERO DO TEJO - 5m (wreck)
- ARIOSTO - 5m (wreck)
- Armacao de Pera
Nearest Dive Centres to CORNISHMAN
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
- Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
- Razorback (Balaenoptera physalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) - Whales & Dolphins
- Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Northern krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Orca (Orcinus orca) - Whales & Dolphins
- Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) - Clams & Mussels
- Moonfish (Mola mola) - Reef Fish
- Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
- Dog whelk (Nucella lapillus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Common shore crab (Carcinus maenas) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Sand mason (Lanice conchilega) - Worms
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Portuguese Dogfish (Centroscymnus coelolepis) - Sharks & Rays
- Common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) - Whales & Dolphins
- Spotted Lanternfish (Myctophum punctatum) - Reef Fish
- Sea potato (Echinocardium cordatum) - Sea Urchins
- Masked crab (Corystes cassivelaunus) - Crabs & Lobsters
Recommended Packing List for CORNISHMAN
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