Peniche – Santa Maria Manuela Wreck – Mainland – Peniche & Nazaré (Silver Coast)
Site Overview
The Santa Maria Manuela is a traditional cod-fishing ship scuttled as an artificial reef at 18-28 m off Peniche, now home to groupers and morays. A characterful Silver Coast wreck. 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. 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 to the wreck and descend, circling the intact hull for groupers and morays, 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
Dusky Grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
Best: Year-round
Moray Eel
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch
Chromodoris spp.
Best: Year-round
Wrasse
Labridae
Best: Year-round
Conger Eel
Conger conger
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Mild current
- Depth management
- Sharp metal
- Limited visibility after swell
- Boat traffic
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For intermediate divers wanting a photogenic, intact shipwreck. It suits photographers and wreck fans. 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
- Peniche Divers
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro