Leiria District

Portugal



On the Berlengas Islands, out of Peniche.

Peniche

Vapor do Trigo

Italian steamer sunk in 1902 after a fire on board. The ship was carrying marble, both large blocks and small cubes.
During the Summer there are usually many small boats at the surface so additional caution is recommended.


Its position near the East side of the main island of Berlengas make it an easy dive. Use one of the dive centers in Peniche.

Primavera is also known as Primavera wreck.

Primavera

Flandres is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Costa de Lisboa, Peniche which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Flandres

Berlengas is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Costa de Lisboa, Peniche which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Berlengas





Berlengas - Cova do Sono is also known as Berlengas - Cabeça de Elefante.

Berlengas - Cova do Sono

Mula, Estelas is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Costa de Lisboa, Peniche which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Mula, Estelas

Wreck of the Maroudio Inglessi which sunk in 1921 near the islets of Estelas, the western islets of Berlengas archipelago.

Current near the surface can be very strong but may be calm under 10m. At the bottom one can easily find anchors and the large calders which serve as refuge for very large congers (Conger conger). Due to the depth and current, use of SMB is a must.

It's located in a deep underwater canyon at the Baixa do Broeiro. Use on the the dive centers in Peniche

Maroudio Inglessi is also known as Baixa do Broeiro.

Maroudio Inglessi

Rabo de Asno is a wide tunnel which crosses one of the Farilhões islets at approximately 30m deep. Although one can see both openings throughout the entire dive, lights are required (including backups). Inside one can find some large fish (Conger conger, for instance), sea fans, lobsters, spider crabs and occasional sea slugs.
One should not miss the outside walls as they're covered with violet sea fans (Paramuricea clavata).
ALso pay attention to the open waters as some pelagics may also be seen, like large schools of jackfish (Seriola rivoliana) or triggerfish (Balistes capriscus).


Rabo de Asno is one of the Farilhões island, in the Natural Reserve of the Berlengas.  This dive site can be reached from PENICHE.

Rabo de Asno is also known as Gruta do Rabo de Asno.

Rabo de Asno

Swimming from the beach towards West you'll find a series of canyons with vertical rock walls from 12m up to 3m deep. These are covered with sponges, soft coral (fam. Alcyoniidae), dozens of species of nudibranchs and other molluscs like octopuses, cuttlefish and squids. Local law and the heavy small boat traffic makes the use of signalling buoys mandatory. In spite of the shallow depth, divers should use SMBs for ascending to the surface.
Current may be moderate so one should pay attention to the direction before starting the dive (start against the current so the way back will be helped by the current).

Arriving at Peniche, go to the left towards the harbor and continue to the fortress ("Fortaleza"). Continue straight ahead towards Portinho da Areia. There's a restaurant near the beach with a parking lot.

Portinho da Areia Sul is also known as Portinho da Areia.

Portinho da Areia Sul

This is the wreck of the Leven, a 2381 ton steamer constructed in 1889 and sunk in 1905 and dismantled with explosives in this area. It was owned by Ropner & Company.
Exposition to the northern waves make it difficult to find good conditions (only if wave height is under 2m and from the SW quadrant). Visibility may range from under 5m to 10m.
The wreck is oriented from West to East. The anchor is 3m long but may be difficult to find as it lies on the sand 10m north from the main wreck.
Although the wreck itself is worth the dive, it's mainly a muck dive with loads of macro life available to see, namely several dozens of nudibranch species but also octopuses and cuttlefish.
A marker buoy is essential and mandatory by Portuguese law.
No dive centers operate here so divers must carry their own gear. However there are dive centers in Peniche which rent equipment.

3km north from the town of Peniche, use the road accross the beach to get to the peninsula of Baleal and drive to the northern limit. Park near the chapel.
Access is made through the small beach to the south (called "Praia dos Barcos", literally "Boat Beach") and then swimming 100m to North.

Leven is also known as Baleal (Norte).

Vapor do Trigo

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Vapor do Trigo