Peniche / Berlengas (UNESCO Biosphere) – Mainland – Lisbon / Cascais / Arrábida
Site Overview
Berlenga Island is a UNESCO biosphere with spectacular sea caves, arches and walls covered in sea fans and gorgonians, huge schools of seabream, moray eels and barracuda, with visibility 15-25 m. Key sites: Gruta Azul, Ponta da Berlenga, Fortaleza Wall and Rinchoa Reef. Advanced due to currents, boat only. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life.
Dive Briefing
"Boat from Peniche to Berlenga and descend on the wall or into Gruta Azul, hooking if current builds, then ascend with a safety stop. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable."
Signature Marine Life
Seabream
Sparidae
Best: Year-round
Moray Eel
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Atlantic Barracuda
Sphyraena viridensis
Best: Year-round
Sea Fan
Swiftia spp.
Best: Year-round
Gorgonian Coral
Paramuricea clavata
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Strong currents
- Heavy boat traffic
- Depth management
- Surface swell
- Cool water
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For advanced divers wanting dramatic caves and walls with big fish. It suits experienced photographers and explorers. It suits confident Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance and who plan their trips around the best seasonal windows. It suits confident Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance and who plan their trips around the best seasonal windows. It suits confident Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance and who plan their trips around the best seasonal windows.
For Non-Divers
Non-divers can enjoy boat trips, coastal walks and local cuisine while divers explore the site.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Berlenga Dive
- Peniche Divers
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro