REPUBLICA - Algarve & Berlengas

The **REPUBLICA** wreck, down at 25 metres, is our favourite kind of dive: a historical accident turned thriving artificial reef. She was a pilot boat, sunk deliberately back in 1996 to become part of the Algarve’s underwater park. And what a transformation. We love dropping onto her deck, the dark shape materialising from the blue. There’s a wonderful sense of her original purpose still, even with the years of growth. You can glide along the wheelhouse, seeing the structure of the bridge, imagining the crew. The internal spaces are small, but we’ve poked our heads into what would have been the engine room, or peered through doorways where now conger eels snooze. It’s not just the wreck itself that’s good; the marine life here is phenomenal. Schools of sea bream shimmer over the hull, and often we’ll find huge stingrays resting on the sandy bottom nearby. Look for nudibranchs on the encrusted metal and octopus tucked into crevices. The **REPUBLICA** is a solid choice for advanced open water divers who appreciate a good wreck story and aren't afraid of a bit of depth. Bring a good torch.

Location
Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
38.672222, -9.395833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
25m

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

Nearest Dive Centres to REPUBLICA

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 REPUBLICA

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