Offering plenty of shipwrecks, along with natural wonders both underwater and topside, Portugal’s Berlengas Archipelago is located about 11 miles from Peniche. Popular with technical divers and famous for beautiful blue water as well as for fantastic marine life that includes everything from vibrantly colored nudibranchs to friendly dolphins, this area is surrounded by several dive sites. Here are just five to whet your appetite for more!
Rinchao - Portugal Dive Sites
Here, you'll find the wreck of a nineteenth century Portuguese steamboat. The Gomes VIII was lost in 1899 while making its way from Porto to Lisbon, and lies beneath 38 meters of water with its upper decks accessible at a depth of 25 meters. Watch for hogfish and dories, along with plenty of other fish and lots of crustaceans, and keep an eye out for nudibranchs and other macro life as you get a close-up look at the red gorgonians that add even more color to this beautiful old wreck.
The Primavera Wreck - Portugal Dive Sites
An Italian Steamer lost on October 28th of 1902 after a fire onboard, the Primavera is a relatively shallow wreck with maximum depth at just 22 meters. In addition to the wreck, which is fantastic, the cargo of marble blocks has created a unique underwater environment that attracts such creatures as octopus, lobsters, and conger eels, not to mention the many gold sea bream and other fish that will accompany you on this dive.
Lagosteira - Portugal Dive Sites
You might see this site listed as Logosteira Furado Grnde e Cova do Sonho on some trip itineraries. The dive begins in the cave called Lagosteira, then a tunnel leads to the south side of the island. While depths vary from as little as 8 meters to as many as 12 meters, this site is best for divers qualified to enter overhead environments. Depending on the season, you might not see many fish, or, during the summer, you might encounter schooling fish in abundance. Look for lobsters, crabs, nudibranchs, and other creatures as you enjoy this unique dive site.
Elephant Trunk (Trumba do Elefante) - Portugal Dive Sites
Located along Berlenga's southern tip, and named for the profile of the rock formations at the surface, Elephant Trunk is a fantastic site for all divers, and is a favorite with underwater photographers. Where the rocks meet the sand at a depth of 15 meters, you'll find long finned gurnards and red mullets, and off in the distance, you may see shoaling amberjacks. Other fish commonly seen here include bream and triggerfish, and among the rocks, which are covered in colorful sponges and cnidarians, you'll find several different species of nudibranchs, along with crustaceans such as lobsters and crabs. Keep an eye out for the conger eels and octopus that are often encountered here!
Baixo do Filho do Grilhao - Portugal Dive Sites
In this splendid underwater canyon located a short distance from the island, you will come face to face with massive rock bass, shoals of sea bream, and plenty of other fish, as well as with octopus, eels, and an abundance of crustaceans and invertebrates. Maximum depth is 25 meters, and there is sometimes a strong current that adds difficulty to the dive.
You can either stay on the mainland near Peniche when you visit the Berlengas Archipelago, or you can camp or stay in a hostel on the island. Local dive operators are well-equipped, and there is plenty to see and do topside, between dives. Space is limited, particularly during the summer months, so plan your trip in advance to visit these and other popular dive sites in Portugal.