wreck

Log This Dive

KYRLEWE

The Kyrlewe wreck, off Pontal Point, is a real favourite of ours in the Algarve, particularly when the conditions are playing nice. It’s a relatively shallow dive, holding at around 15 metres, so you get some decent bottom time. The yacht broke up during a storm back in '78, and what’s left of it is now scattered across the seabed, creating this fantastic artificial reef. You’re not going to find a perfectly intact vessel here; it’s more of a debris field. But that’s precisely what makes it interesting. The metal ribs and hull plates are draped in colourful jewel anemones and sponges, a stark contrast to the sandy bottom. We often spot schools of sea bream darting through the wreckage, and sometimes a chunky conger eel peeking out from under a larger section. It’s a calm, reflective dive, great for photographers who want to focus on macro life and the textures of a slowly reclaiming wreck. We’d suggest going in the morning before any wind picks up, aiming for slack tide for the best visibility. It’s not a challenging dive, but respecting the scattered nature of the wreck and the occasional surge is always a good idea.