BEST OF · SCUBA DIVING IN MADEIRA
The 15 best scuba diving in Madeira you can book right now, with the price per head, how long you are actually in the water and who each one suits. Number one is first for a reason.
Start at Madeira Divepoint inside the Pestana Carlton with a safety lesson and pool practice led by a multilingual PADI instructor. Then choose the ocean option for a guided visit to a private reef, where you may see colorful fish, starfish, sea urchins, rays, and octopus.
“instructors are very friendly, patient and multilingual. Could have asked for anything more.”
Learn scuba basics with Azul Diving Madeira, practice in a pool, then spend up to 45 minutes on a protected Funchal reef at 12 meters. Guides such as Rafa, Esme, Roberto, and Theo work closely with beginners, and you receive a participation certificate afterward.
“That was really cool experience! Our diving guide took really good care of us. We were there as a bigger group, there was few diving with us. That was my first time but I was really chilled and not stressed at all because all rules was really good explained. I can recommend!”
Learn the basics at Azul Diving Center in Funchal, practice in a pool, then spend up to 45 to 50 minutes in the sea at 12 metres. Instructors including Rafa, Rafael, Esme, Guadalupe, and Theo guide small groups of up to four, with equipment and a recognition certificate included.
“Only spent 25 minutes in the ocean (listing says it should be 45/50 minutes). This is because half our air was already gone by the time we entered the sea. Way too much time was wasted in the pool (doing nothing, just using up oxygen and lying on the bottom while an instructor was busy) as there were too many customers and not enough instructors. Our tanks were half empty before we got in the sea, which meant it dive was much shorter than it should have been. Therefore the value for money was poor.”
At Madeira Aquarium in Porto Moniz, you learn basic scuba skills, enter the Cachalote natural pools, and spend time in a 6-meter tank with sharks, rays, and morays. Equipment is provided, and instructors Abílio, Manuel, or Michael guide beginners closely.
“Everything about our dive was as expected. Started on time, clean, safe environment, informative, and fun. Abilio was great, very patient and with a sense of humor.”
Join instructor Abílio Sousa for a three-hour scuba introduction at Madeira Aquarium. You’ll learn in a natural lava pool, tour the aquarium and its technical zone, then enter the main tank with sharks, rays, mantas, and other fish. Groups are limited to four.
“Wow! What an experience. Abílio clearly loves his job and great with people. He happily changed our time from 2pm to 10am. Made us feel very relaxed and safe as we both had not done this before. Great knowledge about the fish. Im sure there are others that do this tour but we can’t imagine they would be as kind and funny as him. Completely recommend (even if frightened)”
At Madeira Divepoint in Funchal, you’ll learn scuba basics with a PADI instructor, practice in a pool, then visit a shallow sea site if you choose the ocean option. Miguel is especially attentive with nervous beginners. The session lasts about three hours and suits ages 10 and up for the sea portion.
“I have booked this experience as a gift for my partner as intro to scuba and this is their review: ''I went for a first time experience in scuba diving in Madeira late November. What to expect? We had a 30 mins “class room” introduction given by an experienced diver. He was really good and explained all that could go wrong and how to fix it. He explained about the ear adjustment under water and how they could get bruised if you don’t “pop” them often. You must go down slowly, meter by meter, to let the ears adjust. We then dressed up, put heavy weight on, got our bottle…”
Build your scuba skills in Funchal with Azul Diving Madeira during a three-day SSI Open Water course. You’ll study the basics, practice in a pool, then complete sea sessions with an instructor such as Lupii, Rafa, Sara, or Nico. Equipment, taxes, and certification costs are included.
“We did our advanced PADI with Azul dive centre”
Meet your instructor at Madeira Dive Point inside the Carlton Hotel for a 30-minute safety briefing, gear setup, and a one-hour guided shore session in Funchal’s marine park. Groups are limited to three, with English, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian support.
“Baptême de plongée, l’instructrice a pris le temps de nous expliquer et de nous mettre en confiance. Le matériel est super. Nous avons énormément apprécié l’activité. Je recommande”
Join Azul Diving Madeira for a certified scuba excursion to the Afonso Cerqueira wreck near Cabo Girao. You’ll descend as far as 30 meters, inspect the engine room, cafeteria, and captain’s deck, and use a 12 or 15-liter air tank. Oreo, Vladimir, Ged, and Jack are among the team members named by the center.
“The best dive centre we have visited. The staff are extremely helpful and considerate. The dives were great but about 10 mins short. It would be great to have more air and get that extra few mins. However, by far the best PADI dive centre we have visited. Tq Oreo and Vladimir Ged and Jack”
Start with a short safety lesson and pool practice, then join an instructor for a 45-minute ocean session at a private reef in the Ponta São Lourenço Protected Area. The small group, 12-meter depth limit, and guides such as Nico and Doro suit first-time scuba guests.
“Bellissima esperienza, la guida super preparata e presente in ogni momento dell'attività. Ci ha messo a nostro agio ed è stata molto empatica nel gestire le nostre emozioni del momento (da non sottovalutare visto che per noi si trattava della prima immersione in assoluto).”
At Ponta de São Lourenço, an English-speaking instructor teaches you basic scuba skills, guides a shallow-water trial, then leads a sea session to 12 meters at a private reef. Expect a small group of no more than two people, full equipment, marine life, and a participation certificate.
“I like to take my time when diving. I like small groups and I need to feel that the dive master knows the place , what to see and where to go.”
Join Madeira Divepoint in Funchal for a 2.5-hour boat-based scuba outing to Garajau Partial Nature Reserve. Certified guests with 10 logged dives and recent experience can expect a briefing, a short swim to the boat, a 10 to 15-minute ride east, abundant fish, and frequent dusky grouper sightings.
“Price deceiving. apart from the fine print of Nat Park entrance Fee (3€) Rental equipment available for a fee (19€) i ended up paying 29€ for some unknown reason. they did not even give me boots and my feet were freezing.”
You’ll receive a full briefing, gear check, and guided DPV ride from Madeira Divepoint inside the Pestana Carlton hotel. This two-hour session is for certified divers with at least 10 logged dives and recent activity within 12 months.
Meet at 9:00 am in Caniçal for a private PADI Discover Scuba or SSI Try Scuba session. You’ll cover basic theory, use supplied equipment, and spend time underwater in shallow sea conditions. Pickup is offered across Madeira, with the activity ending back at the meeting point.
“En France, il existe une expression « être pris pour un pigeon »... nous avons eu le sentiment de nous être gentiment, mais sûrement, bien fait arnaquer !!Un conseil n’y allez pas.”
Join Madeira Divepoint at the Pestana Carlton for a 2.5-hour boat outing to Garajau Marine Park. Certified scuba participants descend among protected marine life, with a strong chance of seeing large dusky groupers. Groups are limited to six, and Ricardo is praised for calm, personal support.
“Niks dan lof voor deze mensen. Als beginnende duiker was mij aangeraden om eerst een duik vanaf de kant te doen voordat ik aan de Maracuja-duik begon. Helaas kreeg ik tijdens deze laatste duik last van paniek. Hier werd direct adequaat op gereageerd, waardoor ik de duik toch heb kunnen afmaken onder begeleiding. Na afloop werd er op de boot continu gecheckt of ik oké was, en ik werd aangemoedigd om een nieuwe duik in te plannen om mijn angst te overwinnen. Ook tijdens die tweede duik, een paar dagen later, werd ik goed in de gaten gehouden, zonder me ongemakkelijk te laten voelen. Mijn speciale dank gaat uit naar…”
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