IPIMAR wreck - Algarve & Berlengas

The IPIMAR wreck, off the Algarve coast, isn't just another sunken ship. For us, it’s a proper dive into Portuguese maritime history. We love that it was a research vessel, lost in a storm, now resting upright at about 30 meters. The ship itself is fairly intact, so you get a real sense of its former life. You can poke around the bridge area, peer into companionways, and imagine the scientists who once worked there. Currents here can be lively, so we’d suggest this one for advanced divers comfortable with a bit of drift. The visibility often hits 15-20 meters on a good day, painting the wreck in shifting blues and greens. What makes the IPIMAR truly special for us, though, is how nature has reclaimed it. Schools of sea bream shimmer around the superstructure, while resident conger eels peer out from dark nooks. We’ve spotted octopus draped over exposed metalwork and nudibranchs adding pops of colour to the rust. It's a proper adventure, a dive that tells a story, and frankly, one of our favourite Algarve wrecks.

Location
Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
36.966667, -8.001111
Type
wreck

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

Nearest Dive Centres to IPIMAR wreck

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 IPIMAR wreck

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