Ocean Revival
The Ocean Revival Project was created to promote underwater tourism in Algarve by creating an exceptional diving destination.
© iStock-DaLiu
Explore Algarve
The Algarve, in southern Portugal, combines Atlantic reefs, underwater art and wreck diving. On the central coast, Albufeira provides a convenient base, with a marina, accommodation and boat trips to nearby sites.
Guided introductory dives and recreational outings let visitors explore the region at different experience levels.
EDP Art Reef, off Albufeira, brings together sculptures by Vhils and an
artificial reef, alongside natural reef environments around Santa Eulália. The
central coast also includes the 156 km² Pedra do Valado Marine Natural Park,
extending towards Armação de Pêra and Lagoa. Local centres select sites
according to swell, wind and diver experience. Portimão’s wrecks and the rocky
coast around Lagos and Sagres offer further options for a wider Algarve
itinerary.
Top Regions to Explore
Upcoming Events
Dive Activity
Diving in Algarve
Albufeira’s EDP Art Reef and the natural reefs
around Santa Eulália make the central Algarve an appealing base for underwater
exploration. Boat trips from the marina offer access to art and reef dives,
with sites chosen for the day’s conditions and the diver’s experience.
Pedra do Valado adds ecological interest along the central coast. Further west,
Ocean Revival offers wreck dives, while Lagos and Sagres provide additional
rocky and historic sites.
Dive Centers
Dive Sites
The Best Months to Dive in Algarve
Late spring to early autumn is usually the most
practical period for dive travel, though diving is possible year-round when sea
conditions allow. Albufeira’s central location is convenient for planning trips
to nearby reefs, with local centres selecting sites according to wind and
swell.
Water is generally warmer in late summer, but upwelling can bring cold water.
Visibility varies with plankton, swell and exposure. Check current conditions
and suitable exposure protection with your centre.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Algarve
Rocky reefs and artificial structures shelter
sea bream, wrasse, octopus, cuttlefish and crustaceans. Moray eels may be found
in crevices, while careful observers can discover nudibranchs and other small
invertebrates.
Gorgonians, sponges and algae add interest to reef dives. Wildlife varies with
habitat, depth and season; sightings are never guaranteed. Pedra do Valado is
particularly important for the region’s marine biodiversity.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
3.3k Sightings
J
37
F
27
M
45
A
121
M
247
J
367
J
637
A
856
S
568
O
283
N
103
D
33
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
477 Sightings
J
9
F
6
M
4
A
17
M
34
J
66
J
62
A
113
S
93
O
60
N
9
D
4
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
166 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
7
A
10
M
18
J
14
J
58
A
31
S
16
O
0
N
6
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 250
iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish
1.4k Sightings
J
5
F
11
M
12
A
39
M
93
J
153
J
330
A
368
S
260
O
100
N
45
D
10
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 3000
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch
1.4k Sightings
J
10
F
21
M
11
A
54
M
161
J
187
J
281
A
273
S
255
O
76
N
26
D
7
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 7000
iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab
1.2k Sightings
J
15
F
18
M
18
A
49
M
125
J
114
J
230
A
310
S
225
O
76
N
51
D
10
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 190
Alamy-Water Frame
Conger Eel
1.2k Sightings
J
17
F
16
M
13
A
25
M
105
J
134
J
247
A
280
S
244
O
91
N
37
D
5
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 120
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Cuttlefish
368 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
12
A
11
M
41
J
58
J
102
A
108
S
21
O
5
N
4
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish
283 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
4
A
11
M
14
J
18
J
104
A
72
S
38
O
12
N
5
D
5
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 40
iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish
278 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
12
M
12
J
34
J
85
A
63
S
47
O
18
N
3
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 40
iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish
277 Sightings
J
2
F
2
M
3
A
0
M
19
J
41
J
70
A
80
S
52
O
6
N
0
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 3400
Shutterstock-Shane Gross
Shrimp
179 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
4
A
7
M
26
J
7
J
26
A
48
S
28
O
19
N
12
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 120
AdobeStock-Composer.
Flounder
129 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
5
J
31
A
47
S
29
O
13
N
2
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 110
iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper
99 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
3
M
3
J
12
J
38
A
11
S
30
O
1
N
1
D
0
Curated by Interest
Events by Lifestyle Category
Underwater Beginner
Mares
Scuba Enthusiasts
Aqualung
Freedive Seekers
Shutterstock-Zi Magine
Family Trip
Mares-Predrag Vuckovic
Adventure Day Trips
Scubapro
ECO Activities
Shutterstock-Ethan Daniels
Group Trips
Mares-Predrag Vuckovic
Technical Diving
Mares-Bjoern Dorstewit
Stress & Rescue
With SSI’s Diver Stress & Rescue specialty program, you’ll learn the skills necessary to protect yourself and your dive buddies. Not only will you learn to identify stre...
Show OfferOPEN WATER DIVER
Show OfferStress & Rescue
With SSI’s Diver Stress & Rescue specialty program, you’ll learn the skills necessary to protect yourself and your dive buddies. Not only will you learn to identify stre...
Show OfferOPEN WATER DIVER
Show OfferOPEN WATER DIVER
Show OfferStress & Rescue
With SSI’s Diver Stress & Rescue specialty program, you’ll learn the skills necessary to protect yourself and your dive buddies. Not only will you learn to identify stre...
Show OfferOPEN WATER DIVER
Show OfferStress & Rescue
With SSI’s Diver Stress & Rescue specialty program, you’ll learn the skills necessary to protect yourself and your dive buddies. Not only will you learn to identify stre...
Show Offer