WALTRAUD - Algarve & Berlengas

The Waltraud is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you, a proper piece of history sunk in 1989. For a Mediterranean wreck, it’s surprisingly intact, lying on its starboard side in just 20 metres. We love dropping down onto the huge cargo holds, often finding small schools of sea bream darting in and out of the openings. Our favourite part is definitely the bridge. You can fin right through, imagining the ship’s final moments, and it’s now home to some impressive conger eels – we’ve seen them peering out from behind what used to be navigation equipment. The bow section is also fantastic for photography, especially when the light is just right and illuminates the anemones and colourful sponges that have colonised the plates. Visibility here can vary, but on a good day, you get a real sense of the ship’s scale, all 98.5 metres of it. It’s a site that suits advanced divers who appreciate a good wreck story and aren't afraid of a bit of an interior explore. We’d suggest going in late spring or early autumn for the best conditions and fewer currents.

Location
Algarve & Berlengas, Portugal, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
39.022556, -9.424278
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Marine Protected Area: Sintra / Cascais

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 WALTRAUD

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 WALTRAUD

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