wreck

Log This Dive

JUANITA DE CHACARTEGUI

The Juanita. If you’re diving the Algarve, this wreck is a solid pick, especially for those newer to wreck diving. She sits upright, pretty intact, at 20 metres, which means decent bottom time and good light penetration on a sunny day. We love how accessible it is; the bow and stern sections are particularly interesting, with plenty of nooks and crannies to peer into without feeling claustrophobic. You’ll spot conger eels tucked into shadowy corners and schools of glinting sea bream swirling through the cargo holds. What makes the Juanita special is the way the light filters through the superstructure, creating these shafts of light and shadow, especially around midday. It’s got a real melancholic beauty to it. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the rudder and propeller are still visible, now encrusted with colourful anemones. Visibility can be a bit variable here, so we’d suggest aiming for calmer days, usually in late spring or early autumn, to really appreciate the structure and the life that’s made it home. This isn’t a deep, challenging wreck, but it’s a genuinely satisfying dive for its character and ease of exploration.