Diving in Algarve?

[johnkendall]

Hi All,

I may have to go to the Algarve for a week with work (I know, hard life) and wondered if anyone had dived there. If so, any suggestions , Must-Do sites, suggested dive centres, Anything to avoid.

Thanks

John

[CotoChris]

What time of the year? I've done a fair number of dives in the algarve but the dive center I used the most 'Atlantic Dive Center' at Albufeira has recently changed hands (try Phone: +351282587479). I know the new owner -Cristian- who is good but I havn't dived there since set up changed to him.(speaks English)

I can recommend Blue Ocean Divers at Lagos http://www.blue-ocean-divers.de/, I've used them before and were very good.

With the Algarve the furtherwest you go the better the water, better viz but colder. It is a gradual change from a mediterranean like waters on the east to Atlantic water in the west. My best dives were from the west, by far. In the winter the waters on the west may be a bit choppy though.

Type of life to expect: Octopus, Congers, Triggersigh, Greater Forkbeards, few damselfish, velvet crabs to name a few. It is not the Med though, so waters will be 12-16ºc at the moment, cooler on the west.

Looking at the map Lagos may seem far but with the new motorway it's easy.

[johnkendall]

Thanks for that Chris, I'll be going out sometime in Jan or Feb. Have you done any of the cave/cavern type stuff? What about Wrecks?

Also, do any of the places do Twinsets?

Thanks
John

[CotoChris]

Havn't experience caverns in the Algarve but worth asking blue ocean divers as the terrain there seems suitable for caverns. There are not many wrecks, I did one at 20m when diving with theold center at Albufeira, interesting with huge congers. That was the only wreck I dived there. I think there is another one which Blue Ocean divers go to, drop them an e--mail.

As you can imagine the Algarve buzzes with tourists and most diving is orientated to the casual tourist rather then the serious diver. Saying that by going off season you will get a much personalised service and effectively do what you wish, again the only center I can see giving a more personalised service is Blue Ocean. As with twinsets I have yet to see one in the Algarve but worth asking, I'll be suprised though - I stil have to see a pony!

There are other centers around but most will be closed in the winter. If you still had no luck I'll can ask at a Portuguese dive forum. I think I'll do that anyway -wrecks and caverns info?

[CotoChris]

You can try:

HIDROESPAÇO - Actividades e serviços
(Faro)
Estrada de S. Brás 8000 Faro
Phone: +351289862500 -919495782
Fax: +351289862500
mail: mail@hidroespaco.com
http://www.hidroespaco.com/

The site is in Portuguese though. Theya re based in Faro but dive in the west as well. I've heard very good reports from them and you should get a personalised service from them. Try contacting them, if you have any problems with the language I'll can give you a hand. I'd be suprised if they don't speak English as in that part of the country English is the main language!