Algarve · Portugal · Wall · Reef
Rocha Negra
A south-facing wall under multi-coloured gorgonians
The westernmost dive site of the Lagos cluster, named for the darker rock formations that rise out of the sea above it. Underwater it is an extensive reef wall running south, covered in multi-coloured gorgonian coral, dived multilevel to a maximum of 16 m.
0Where it is and how deep
37.0798° N, 8.7142° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
You are diving under the black rock the site is named for: formations that rise out of the water with a distinctly darker colour than the limestone around them, marking the westernmost point the Lagos boats reach. Below the surface it is an extensive reef wall pointing south, dived multilevel down to a maximum of 16 m and back up along the face.
The wall is covered in gorgonian coral in a range of colours, which is the reason to come and the reason to swim it slowly rather than cover its full length. Take a torch: the reentrant folds of the rock hold life that stays invisible in ambient light, and the wall reads very differently once you start putting a beam into the gaps between the fans.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-season | Off-season | Fair | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Off-season |
Season follows Algarve: May–Oct is the settled season with the clearest water; Atlantic swell and cold water shut most operations over winter.
Know before you go
- The life here is tucked into folds and recesses in the rock, so a torch is needed to see anything beyond the gorgonians on the open face.
Questions divers ask
What is Rocha Negra like?+
An extensive south-facing reef wall covered in multi-coloured gorgonian coral, dived multilevel to a maximum of 16 m. It is the westernmost site the Lagos operators run to.
Sources
- Rocha Negra — Scubago
- WeDive Lagos — dive sites — WeDive Lagos
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