Windward Algarve - Diving Spots

The Barlavento (Windward) is the most westerly zone of the Algarve, and has generally cleaner waters with good visibility for diving. However, it is more exposed to the prevailing winds from the North and Northeast, which sometimes blow very strongly, therefore diving is more demanding from a technical and safety point of view.

The surface temperature has little thermal range, with an average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius in Sagres, with sea temperatures varying from 12 to 14 degrees Celsius in winter and 17 to 19 degrees Celsius in summer.

The rainfall is generally low, even during the winter months. Almost the entire coastline, from Burgau to the border of the Algarve on the North coast, is part of the Southwest Alentejano and Vicentine Coast National Park, and authorization is needed to dive in waters up to a distance of two kilometers from the coastline, throughout its length.

For the purposes of this guide, the Barlavento Zone covers the entire Northern Coast of the Algarve, and the area between Cabo de São Vicente (Cape Saint Vincent) and Ponta da Piedade.