LLANCARVAN - Algarve & Berlengas

The Llancarvan isn't for the faint of heart, or indeed, the shallow diver. Dropping to a solid 50 metres, this is a serious technical dive, but what a reward awaits. This World War Two steamship went down hard in 1943, attacked by aircraft on its Lisbon-Gibraltar run, and she still tells that story. We love the scale of her, the way the forward section is relatively intact, allowing for some truly atmospheric penetration if you're qualified and careful. We've spent hours here, tracing the deck plates and peering into cavernous holds, imagining the chaos of her final moments. Now, it's a bustling apartment block for conger eels, their heads poking out from every dark crevice. You’ll see big schools of barracuda circling the superstructure, glinting in the shafts of light that pierce the gloom. Our favourite part has to be the stern, often swathed in hundreds of shimmering anchovies, a living curtain that makes the whole wreck feel alive. Visibility can be hit or miss, so pick your day carefully, and always respect the depth and potential currents. This wreck demands respect, and in return, it offers an incredible journey into history and marine life.

Location
Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
36.987500, -8.997222
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Marine Protected Area: Ria de Alvor

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 LLANCARVAN

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 LLANCARVAN

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