TOP DIVE SITES – NORTHERN PORTUGAL
Barbosa – the wreck of a Brazilian liner lies at a depth of 12 m. The ship was carrying about 100 Jewish refugees who wanted to escape from Germany to Brazil. She ran aground in 1934. This wreck is great dive site and can be explored even by beginners.Location: LeixõesType of dive: shore diveRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterBezerros – this dive site is famous for beautiful underwater rock formations. The residents of this area include anemones, sea gorgonians and variety of fish species. The maximum depth is 15 m and thus this dive spot is suitable even for beginners.Location: Mindelo (Cape Verde)Type of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterBrenha – the wreck of a fishing boat lies at a depth of 27 m. The boat was on her way to Spain when she ran into a bad weather, hit rocky bottom and sank in 1996. The wreck can be penetrated but divers should beware of cables and nets that may make exploring penetration difficult.Location: MindeloType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterCantanhede (Batelão) – this wreck of a large Portuguese barge lies at a depth of 27 m. The ship hit a storm while on her way from Lisbon to Oporto and sank in 1959. Apart from the wreck there is profuse marine life that can be found in this area.Location: 5 km southwest of LeixõesType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterCharneca – the wreck of a small tugboat lies at a depth of 14 m. She was about to help a cargo ship but didn’t accomplish the mission due to a strong storm. The ship sank in 1986. Divers should beware of fishing nets, lines and cables that make the penetration difficult.Location: Quebra MarType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water
Jakob Maersk – the remains of the wreck of a Danish oil tanker lies at a depth of 15 m. The ship sank after a series of explosions in 1975 due to a navigation error. She was carrying almost 90 000 tons of oil from Gulf Persic. By 1996 this accident was in 12th place on the list of largest oil spills in the world.Location: LeixõesType of dive: shore diveSea bed: sandRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterKassamba – the wreck of the Angolan cargo vessel lies at a depth of 70 m. She was on her way from Spain to Angola but sank due to bad weather conditions in 1985. The visibility in this area is great but this wreck can be dived only by advanced divers due to the great depth.Location: 17 km northwest of LeixõesType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandRequirements: Trimix Technical DiversPelo Negro – this site is famous for underwater rock formations, including walls, canyons and swim throughs. But the abundance of colourful marine life make this dive site even more enjoyable. Sponges, sea anemones and various fish species can be found in this area. The maximum depth is 21 m.Location: LecaType of dive: shore diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterU1277 – the wreck of a German U-boat lies at a depth of 30 m. This diesel-electric submarine had four engines. The boat was deliberately sunk in 1945. The wreck was discovered by divers in 1973. The wreck gives shelter to lobsters, crabs, conger eels and many other species.Location: LeixõesType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterVeronese – the wreck of a British steamship lies at a depth of 10 m. The ship was on her way from Liverpool when she sank due to a strong storm in 1913. 40 people lost their lives in this tragedy. Due to the shallow depth this wreck can be explored even by beginners.Location: LeixõesType of dive: shore diveSea bed: sandRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterVila do Porto – the wreck of a Portuguese motor vessel lies at a depth of 12 m. The ship sank due to a strong storm in 1955. The wreck is pretty damaged but, as an artificial reef, gives shelter to many marine creatures. This is a weather-dependent dive.Location: LeixõesType of dive: boat diveRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water
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