DUENDE - Algarve & Berlengas

The Duende tug lies in a solid 36 metres, a depth that makes it a decent dive for those with a bit of experience under their belts. It’s not a huge wreck at 25 metres long, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in character. We’ve always found it a bit eerie, thinking about its disappearance in 1978 and the mystery surrounding it. Dropping down, the tug’s outline slowly sharpens out of the blue. Its superstructure is still pretty intact, offering some nice swim-throughs into the wheelhouse and engine room if you’re comfortable with overhead environments and good on air. We’ve seen conger eels poking their heads out of pipes and cracks, and the deck often has a healthy scattering of spider crabs. The real show, though, is the sheer density of jewel anemones that have colonised every available surface. They just explode with colour under a dive light, a brilliant contrast to the dark steel. It’s a quiet wreck, often with little current, making it a good choice for really taking your time to explore the nooks and crannies. We’d suggest a late morning dive; the light penetration can be surprisingly good on a sunny day.

Location
Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.966667, -8.916667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
36m

Marine Protected Area: Lagoa da Sancha

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 DUENDE

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 DUENDE

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