TOLLEN - Algarve & Berlengas

The *Tollen* is an absolute beast of a wreck, and we love it for its sheer scale. This cargo ship, all 114 metres of her, lies in just 12 metres of water, making it a fantastic dive for pretty much everyone. We typically drop onto the bow, which is still impressively intact, before working our way along the deck. You’ll see schools of sea bream shimmering in the light, often darting in and out of the hold openings. It’s an easy swim over the cargo sections, where parts of the superstructure are slowly collapsing in on themselves, creating interesting swim-throughs for the more adventurous. Our favourite part is the stern. The propellers are still there, massive and encrusted, and we always find conger eels lurking in the deeper, darker sections of the engine room access points. The *Tollen* has been down since 1980, so it’s completely smothered in life – colourful anemones cling to every surface, and we’ve spotted plenty of nudibranchs if you slow down and look closely. It’s a genuinely impressive wreck dive without the depth demands, perfect for getting a real sense of history beneath the waves.

Location
Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
38.708332, -9.123333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
12m

Marine Protected Area: Estuário do Tejo

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 TOLLEN

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 TOLLEN

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