PALENCA
Protected Area
Arrábida / Espichel
Why dive here
With 116+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - PALENCA offers some of Algarve & Berlengas's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 15-19°C, warmest June, October, November.
Palenca isn't some pristine, intact vessel, and that's precisely why we love it. This is a properly broken wreck, a collection of twisted metal and collapsed sections that feels more like an artificial reef than a ship. Dropping down, you're immediately struck by the sheer volume of fish – schools of sea bream and barracuda often hang around the bigger pieces of wreckage. Our favourite part is navigating the gaps and swim-throughs formed by the collapsed structure; it’s like an underwater maze where every turn reveals a new corner for moray eels or octopus to hide. The maximum depth here is 20m, making it accessible for most certified divers, but the real beauty is in the exploration. Visibility can be a bit variable, so we'd suggest picking a calm day after a few days without strong wind for the best experience. It's a site that rewards slow, deliberate diving, peering into every nook and cranny. You won't find perfect porcelain corals, but the life here is hardy and abundant, a testament to nature reclaiming its own. Palenca is for those who appreciate the character of a working wreck, not a museum piece.
Typical PALENCA Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 20m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to PALENCA
Dive shops near PALENCA
CNOCA
Nautilus-Sub
Escola de Mergulho de Lisboa
Dive Club Cipreia - Outprostore LISBOA/ALFRAGIDE
Sesimbra Diving
SPOT Freedive
Reviews for PALENCA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for PALENCA
PALENCA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for PALENCA, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (37.92, -8.81) (40km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
19°C
65°F · Range: 16.7–20.2°C
Air Temperature
18°C
65°F
Wind Speed
8.24 m/s
16.0 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1017.4 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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