When is the best time to dive Algarve (Portimão)?

The best months to dive Algarve (Portimão) are Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Dived all year; the best months are March–May and September–November (water 14 °C in winter to 24 °C in summer).

Is Algarve (Portimão) good for beginner divers?

Yes, partly: 4 of the 10 dive sites we document are suited to Open Water divers, including Praia da Baleeira (Sagres), L'Océan wreck (Salema) and Martinhal Reef (Sagres). The others need more experience or a higher certification.

What is the water temperature in Algarve (Portimão)?

The water is usually between 14 °C and 24 °C over the year.

What marine life can you see in Algarve (Portimão)?

Divers regularly see crustaceans, cuttlefish, octopus, scorpionfish, conger eel and groupers.

Algarve (Portimão)

Diving in Portugal

10 documented dive sites, 4 of them for Open Water divers. Known for crustaceans, cuttlefish and octopus.

Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Water: 14–24 °C
Levels: Open Water, Advanced
Nearest airport: FAO

When to go

Pick a month: the diving season, from published sources, and the typical weather.

Pick a month

Best
Good
Possible
Closed
Not documented yet

Algarve (Portimão) in October

Best season

Sea: 19 °C; at the surface
Air: 24 °C; 17 °C at night
Rain: 70 mm; one of the wettest months
Wind: 12 km/h; on average

The warmest water of the year.

Exposure suit: 5 mm full suit · if you feel the cold: 7 mm full suit or 8/7 mm semi-dry. How we choose

Typical weather, not a forecast: averages for 2021–2025 (air, rain, wind) and 2023–2025 (sea), data from Open-Meteo (ERA5 / Copernicus, Météo-France). Covers an area of roughly 10 to 25 km around the destination.

Compare with another destination

Dived all year; the best months are March–May and September–November (water 14 °C in winter to 24 °C in summer).

Source: algarvetips.com

Dive sites in Algarve (Portimão)

From the easiest to the most demanding. Levels with a dashed outline are estimates we are still verifying.

The Ocean Revival area off Portimão is closed to all boats except dive boats. The Sagres sites lie on an Atlantic-exposed coast, where conditions can change with the weather and swell.

Open Water friendly

usual dive down to 18 m4 sites

Reef

down to 10 m

Praia da Baleeira (Sagres)

A shallow reef by Sagres harbour, sheltered from swells and winds and ideal for try-dives and courses.

Open Water

Wreck

down to 10 m

L'Océan wreck (Salema)

Scattered remains of an 18th-century French warship sunk by the British.

Open Water

Reef

down to 12 m

Martinhal Reef (Sagres)

A shallow rocky reef right in front of Martinhal beach near Sagres, rated a beginner site by the local dive centre.

Open Water

down to 14 m

Ingrina (Sagres)

A beginner reef near Sagres from 1 to 14 m, listed by the local dive centre for easy dives.

Open Water

For Advanced divers

usual dive down to 30 m6 sites

Wreck

down to 30 m

Corvette Oliveira e Carmo (Ocean Revival)

An 85 m ex-navy corvette sunk in 2012 off Portimão as part of the Ocean Revival underwater park, with decks at around 20 m.

Advanced
Tuna

Wreck

down to 32 m

Frigate Comandante Hermenegildo Capelo (Ocean Revival)

The largest wreck of the Ocean Revival park: a 102.5 m ex-navy frigate off Portimão, with its deck at around 20 m.

Advanced
Tuna

Wreck

down to 30 m

Hydrographic ship Almeida Carvalho (Ocean Revival)

An ex-navy hydrographic ship of the Ocean Revival park, lying between 15 and 30 m off Portimão.

Advanced
Tuna

Wreck

down to 26 m

Patrol ship Zambeze (Ocean Revival)

An ex-navy patrol ship of the Ocean Revival park, lying between 15 and 26 m off Portimão.

Advanced
Tuna

Reef

down to 19 m

Pedra do Alto (Albufeira)

A rocky reef on the Algarve coast rising from 18 m of sand to 13 m, known for red scorpionfish.

Advanced
Scorpionfish

Wreck

down to 30 m

Torvore wreck (Sagres)

An 80 m First World War-era cargo ship resting at 30 m off Sagres.

Advanced

Marine life

When the big encounters happen, month by month.

Species	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
RaysSource: algarvetips.com

Peak season
Seen

Also reported here, season not documented yet:

Crustaceans
Cuttlefish
Octopus
Scorpionfish
Conger eel
Groupers
Moray eels
Dolphins
Tuna
Seahorses

Where is Algarve (Portimão)?

View on OpenStreetMapLocation: Portimão (Wikipedia)Map: Natural Earth

Nearest airport: FAO

Algarve (Portimão): frequently asked questions

When is the best time to dive Algarve (Portimão)?: The best months to dive Algarve (Portimão) are Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Dived all year; the best months are March–May and September–November (water 14 °C in winter to 24 °C in summer).
Is Algarve (Portimão) good for beginner divers?: Yes, partly: 4 of the 10 dive sites we document are suited to Open Water divers, including Praia da Baleeira (Sagres), L'Océan wreck (Salema) and Martinhal Reef (Sagres). The others need more experience or a higher certification.
What is the water temperature in Algarve (Portimão)?: The water is usually between 14 °C and 24 °C over the year.
What marine life can you see in Algarve (Portimão)?: Divers regularly see crustaceans, cuttlefish, octopus, scorpionfish, conger eel and groupers.
How do you dive Algarve (Portimão)?: The nearest airport is FAO.

About this page

Seasons and marine life come from the sources below. Site levels and depths marked as estimated come from our original catalogue and are being checked one by one. Conditions change: always confirm with a local dive centre.

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Photo: Sarah Lee on Unsplash

Photo credits

Sunlight and bubbles in deep blue water, Sarah Lee, Unsplash License, on Unsplash