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HMS Cossack

The HMS Cossack is one of our favourite Algarve wrecks, and it’s not just for the history buffs. This Tribal-class destroyer, sunk in 1941, lies broken but still recognisable in around 30 metres of water. We love the way the stern section, with its enormous prop, stands proud of the seabed, drawing in schools of seabream that shimmer in the shafts of light. Swimming through the remains of the superstructure, you get a real sense of its past, even as it’s slowly being reclaimed by the ocean. Exploration here feels like a proper dive, a bit of an adventure. You’ll find the occasional little post horn squid clinging to the metalwork, perfectly camouflaged, if you look closely. Strong currents can sweep across the site, especially on an incoming tide, so we'd suggest timing your dive for slack water to really appreciate the scale of it. It’s a dive for those comfortable with deeper water and keen to spend some time poking around a genuine piece of wartime history, rather than just admiring fish.