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Draga da Madalena (Wreck)

Located south of the mouth of the Douro River, off the beach of Madalena, there is a fascinating shipwreck awaiting divers. With a sandy bottom and a maximum depth of 21 meters, this dive site is accessible only by boat.

Underwater, divers will be treated to a diverse array of marine life. From macro creatures like pans and crabs to impressive species like sea bass, congers, octopuses, and lobsters, there is something for everyone to admire and observe.

The shipwreck itself remains somewhat of a mystery. While some experts believe it may have been a dredger, its origin and gender have not been definitively identified. Currently broken into two parts, the wreck offers easy navigation between them, with plates and debris scattered across the seabed. One of the highlights of this dive is the easily identifiable boiler, which serves as a prominent feature.

Planning and navigating the dive are straightforward and suitable for divers with beginner-level skills. However, having Wreck Diving and Navigation certifications is recommended for a more enjoyable and safe experience. While the surface current can sometimes be strong, the bottom current is practically non-existent. Visibility averages around 5 meters, allowing for clear underwater exploration.

When visiting this dive site, it is advisable to wear an isothermic suit of 7mm, as the average water temperature is around 13ºC. The best diving season for this area is between June and September, providing optimal conditions to explore this captivating shipwreck.

Plan your dive adventure to this shipwreck located off the coast of Madalena, Portugal. Don't miss the opportunity to discover the wonders hidden beneath the water.

Diving Conditions Score for Draga da Madalena (Wreck)

6
Above Average

Decent conditions, proceed with caution.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Draga da Madalena (Wreck)

Depth

20m

Visibility

5m

Experience Level

beginner

Weather Conditions for Draga da Madalena (Wreck)

Wave Height

0.74m

Wind Speed

5.4 m/s

Water Temp

17.4°C

Visibility

9.32km

Cloud Cover

59%

Wave Period

5.7s

Air Temperature

20.6°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Draga da Madalena (Wreck)
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Draga da Madalena (Wreck)

Best time to dive: 8:00 with score 8.110152671755726/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.74m, Wind 2.6 m/s.Best night dive time: 2:00 with score 7.557088113695091/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Draga da Madalena (Wreck): 06:00
Sunset at Draga da Madalena (Wreck): 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Draga da Madalena (Wreck) are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
8:00

Score: 8.1/10
Waves: 0.74m (6.55s), Wind: 2.6 m/s

🌙
Best Night
2:00

Score: 7.6/10
Waves: 0.82m, Wind: 1.3 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Draga da Madalena (Wreck)
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Draga da Madalena (Wreck)

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for Draga da Madalena (Wreck)

Winter

Avg. Score: 8.1/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for Draga da Madalena (Wreck)

January
Score: 8.5
February
Score: 8.2
December
Score: 7.7

Ideal Conditions for Draga da Madalena (Wreck)

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

22.0°C / 71.6°F

July

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

14.6m / 47.9ft

January

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

1.1m / 3.6ft

January

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Draga da Madalena (Wreck)

Draga da Madalena (Wreck) shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (22.0°C) and January the coldest (7.0°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 1.1m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 21, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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