Praia da Poça - House Reef - Algarve & Berlengas
Praia da Poça’s house reef is a gentle spot, perfect for getting comfortable in the water. Maximum depth is 5m, making it ideal for new divers or those refining their skills. We often see blennies, gobies, and small wrasse darting amongst the rocks. It’s a calm introduction to Algarve diving.
- Location
- Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 38.701300, -9.392000
- Type
- reef
- Maximum Depth
- 5m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: Cabo Raso
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
- 2 Anchors
- 2 Ancoras - 20m
- 3 Milhas - 10m
- ACOR - 20m (wreck)
- ALCHIMIST EMDEN - 2m (wreck)
- Almas - 10-25m (reef)
- Almeida Carvalho (Wreck) - 28m (wreck)
- ALMIRANTE VALDES - 21m (wreck)
- AMBOIM - 2m (wreck)
- ANNE SOPHIE - 52m (wreck)
- Arcanzil - 13m
- Archeological Site Faro - A - 10-25m (wreck)
- AREIERO DO TEJO - 5m (wreck)
- ARIOSTO - 5m (wreck)
- Armacao de Pera
Nearest Dive Centres to Praia da Poça - House Reef
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
- Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
- Razorback (Balaenoptera physalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) - Whales & Dolphins
- Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Northern krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Orca (Orcinus orca) - Whales & Dolphins
- Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) - Clams & Mussels
- Moonfish (Mola mola) - Reef Fish
- Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
- Dog whelk (Nucella lapillus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Common shore crab (Carcinus maenas) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Sand mason (Lanice conchilega) - Worms
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Portuguese Dogfish (Centroscymnus coelolepis) - Sharks & Rays
- Common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) - Whales & Dolphins
- Spotted Lanternfish (Myctophum punctatum) - Reef Fish
- Sea potato (Echinocardium cordatum) - Sea Urchins
- Masked crab (Corystes cassivelaunus) - Crabs & Lobsters
Recommended Packing List for Praia da Poça - House Reef
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