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Penedos

The Penedos dive site, located near the village of Sesimbra in Portugal, was discovered over 20 years ago thanks to the guidance of a local fisherman. This area is known for its large boulders and dramatic depth changes, making it an intriguing spot for divers.

What sets Penedos apart is its unique marine life, not found anywhere else in the marine reserve. Here, divers can explore towering 20-meter cliffs adorned with impressive hard coral formations and vibrant anthia fish.

This dive site boasts an ecosystem that stands out from its surroundings, showcasing a diverse range of fauna and flora exclusive to this area within the marine reserve. As a result, Penedos offers a compelling alternative to other similar dive sites beyond Cape Espichel.

One of the key advantages of Penedos is its sheltered location, protected from the powerful waves originating from the North/West. Additionally, its proximity to the harbor makes it easily accessible for divers. With an average depth of 60-85 meters, Penedos is a dive site suited for advanced technical divers seeking a thrilling underwater adventure.

When exploring Penedos, divers can expect a visibility of approximately 9 meters, allowing for a clear view of the captivating underwater landscape. The maximum depth reaches 31 meters, providing an opportunity for divers to delve deeper into the underwater wonders.

For an unforgettable diving experience in Portugal, Penedos near Sesimbra is a premier dive spot worth exploring. Plan your dive adventure today at this close location: Casa de Argeis, Santiago, Sesimbra, Setúbal, 2970-760, Portugal.

Diving Conditions Score for Penedos

6.4
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 Penedos

Depth

31m

Visibility

9m

Experience Level

expert

Weather Conditions for Penedos

Wave Height

0.54m

Wind Speed

12.1 m/s

Water Temp

19.2°C

Visibility

30.54km

Cloud Cover

0%

Wave Period

6.4s

Air Temperature

28.2°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Penedos
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Penedos

Best time to dive: 6:00 with score 8.845574231678487/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.52m, Wind 1.4 m/s.Best night dive time: 5:00 with score 8.218461904761906/10.

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

Sunrise at Penedos: 06:00
Sunset at Penedos: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Penedos 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
6:00

Score: 8.8/10
Waves: 0.52m (7.05s), Wind: 1.4 m/s

🌙
Best Night
5:00

Score: 8.2/10
Waves: 0.52m, Wind: 2.6 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Penedos
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Penedos

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 Penedos

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 Penedos

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

Ideal Conditions for Penedos

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

23.0°C / 73.4°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 Penedos

Penedos shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (23.0°C) and January the coldest (8.6°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 - Jul 6, 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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