Ocean Revival Park - Algarve & Berlengas

The Ocean Revival Park, off Alvor in the Algarve, is one of our top picks for wreck diving in Europe. Four Portuguese Navy ships, scuttled specifically for divers, sit upright on the sandy seabed, creating a fantastic artificial reef. Our favourite is the **Zambeze**, a patrol boat, because the wheelhouse is still intact. You can swim right through it, imagining the crew on watch. We’ve seen schools of sardine so dense they shimmered like quicksilver around the superstructures, and often find conger eels peering from dark corners. On the larger **Hermenegildo Capelo** frigate, the sheer scale is impressive. There are multiple deck levels to explore, and the bow gun is still in place, now covered in sponges. Expect depths from 10m on the mast tops down to 32m on the sand, so it’s best for intermediate divers with some wreck experience. Conditions are generally calm, but visibility can vary. We always aim for a slack tide dive; it makes navigating the interiors much easier. Keep an eye out for loggerhead turtles cruising by in the blue. This site feels less like a graveyard and more like a vibrant, living museum.

Location
Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.090000, -8.620000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10-32m
Difficulty
Intermediate

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 Ocean Revival Park

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 Ocean Revival Park

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