Propellers Paradise - Algarve & Berlengas

Propellers Paradise is one of those sites we always recommend for new wreck divers, and it's easy to see why. The name gives it away, but the star here really is the pair of bronze propellers, surprisingly intact and remarkably photogenic at a gentle 12 metres. You’ll find the wreck of the *Triton*, a fishing trawler that met its end many years ago, broken into several sections across the sandy seabed. What we love about this site is how accessible it feels. You can swim through the old wheelhouse frame, now just a skeletal outline, or poke around the cargo hold where schooling European seabass often hang out. Look closely at the hull plates, now softened by a tapestry of colourful sponges and anemones; we’ve often spotted small octopus tucked into crevices. The visibility here is usually pretty good, particularly in the mornings before any afternoon chop stirs things up. It’s a site that proves you don’t need extreme depths for a really satisfying wreck dive, perfect for building confidence before tackling something deeper.

Location
Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.105800, -8.660800
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
12m
Difficulty
Beginner

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 Propellers Paradise

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 Propellers Paradise

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