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Forte da Baralha

Discover the breathtaking rock formation just off the coast of Sesimbra, Portugal, near Cape Espichel. This unique dive site, located just 15 meters below the surface, offers an exceptional underwater experience for advanced divers.

As you explore the depths, you'll be captivated by the abundance of marine life that calls this rock formation home. Keep your eyes peeled for magnificent species, including cuttlefish, seabreams, wrasse, gorgonians, sponges, and anemones. The vibrant colors and diverse fauna and flora create a mesmerizing underwater world.

Diving at this spot, starting at around 22 meters, allows you to witness the natural beauty of several dispersed rock formations. As you navigate further north, these formations become denser, revealing hidden treasures. Delve into the intricate details of the underwater ecosystem and you may spot nudibranchs, rock crabs, small fish, and other fascinating creatures, in addition to the usual seabreams and parrotfish.

Be prepared to be astonished by the sight of Sunfish gracefully swimming by on lucky days. If you prefer to explore the sandy bottom at depths of 22 to 24 meters, the landscape transforms, revealing hermit crabs that are not commonly visible in the rock zone. This area is perfect for Open Water Divers (OWD) seeking a close encounter with the smaller marine life, including anemones, soft corals, algae, and more. Don't forget to keep an eye out for starfish, scorpionfish, flounders, red mullet, wrasse, and the elusive Zeus Faber.

With a visibility of 7 meters, this dive promises a clear and immersive experience into the underwater wonders of Sesimbra. Take your diving adventures to the next level as you appreciate the intricate tapestry of marine life that awaits you.

Diving Conditions Score for Forte da Baralha

6.6
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 Forte da Baralha

Depth

15m

Visibility

7m

Experience Level

advanced

Weather Conditions for Forte da Baralha

Wave Height

0.78m

Wind Speed

6.5 m/s

Water Temp

17.1°C

Visibility

22.48km

Cloud Cover

95%

Wave Period

6s

Air Temperature

20.4°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Forte da Baralha
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Forte da Baralha

Best time to dive: 11:00 with score 8.122716049382717/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.76m, Wind 4.7 m/s.Best night dive time: 1:00 with score 7.348533333333333/10.

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

Sunrise at Forte da Baralha: 06:00
Sunset at Forte da Baralha: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Forte da Baralha 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
11:00

Score: 8.1/10
Waves: 0.76m (6.75s), Wind: 4.7 m/s

🌙
Best Night
1:00

Score: 7.3/10
Waves: 0.84m, Wind: 4.4 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Forte da Baralha
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Forte da Baralha

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 Forte da Baralha

Winter

Avg. Score: 8.2/10

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

Best Months for Forte da Baralha

January
Score: 8.7
February
Score: 8.2
December
Score: 7.7

Ideal Conditions for Forte da Baralha

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

22.9°C / 73.2°F

July

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

15.3m / 50.2ft

January

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

0.9m / 3.0ft

January

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Forte da Baralha

Forte da Baralha shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (22.9°C) and January the coldest (8.4°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.9m 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 22, 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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