BEST OF · SCUBA DIVING IN PORTUGAL
Prices, water time and who each one suits, in one place. The 15 scuba diving in Portugal below are the ones worth spending a spare morning on.
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 Easydivers in Albufeira Marina, you learn scuba skills in theory and a pool before heading by boat for one sea session to 12 meters. Instructors including João, Wilson, Fernando, and Paulo guide small groups of up to 10. You leave with a certificate valid for six months.
“I did the beginner diving course and couldn’t be happier with the experience. I had a short moment of panic at the beginning in the training pool under water (breathing under water if you trained all you life not to do that was surprisingly difficult), but João took so much time and care to help me calm down and feel safe. His patience and support truly made the difference – I went from nervous to completely comfortable underwater! Fernando explained all the theory in a clear and relaxed way, and both João and Fernando created such a calm and safe atmosphere, I always felt in good hands. We even saw…”
Meet the Atlasdivertido team in central Lagos for a beginner-friendly scuba lesson, full equipment, insurance, and a short boat ride to coastal sites. English, Portuguese, and Spanish support is available, with instructors including Nuno, Melanie, Gui, and Tee involved in past sessions. Expect one underwater session of about 35 minutes.
“Absolutely amazing experience, I loved it! The instructors were so friendly and helpful and made sure that everything was explained comprehensively (all in perfect English). During the dive, Nunu kept making sure I was alright and checking to see if I was cold. 10 out of 10 would do again, I loved it!”
From Vila Franca do Campo, you take a 10-minute speedboat ride to the islet’s Natural Reserve. After a safety lesson, an instructor such as Ivo, Ricardo, Rodrigo, or Veronika guides you underwater for about 30 minutes, with equipment, insurance, and snorkeling included.
“It was an amazing experience! The team members were very responsible and friendly. We are completely satisfied.”
Spend three hours on Lisbon’s Tagus River aboard Sardinha do Tejo’s catamaran, with music throughout, a one-hour open bar, views of Belém Tower and the 25 de Abril Bridge, and easy water access. Hosts speak Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, and German.
“It was honestly the best thing we did the whole weekend. Perfect if you’re with a larger group. 10/10 experience. DJ was also incredible!”
Learn basic scuba skills with a certified SSI or CMAS instructor, then visit the reefs of Prof. Luiz Saldanha Marine Park by speedboat. You may see octopuses, lobsters, stingrays, seahorses, anemones, sea stars, and other Atlantic species during this two-hour beginner session.
“Very good first experience if you’ve never gone diving.”
Spend four hours learning basic scuba skills, then take a boat to a historic site in the Professor Luiz Saldanha Marine Park. Guides speak Portuguese, English, and Spanish, and Paulho is praised for calm, step-by-step instruction. You can also collect underwater plastic and receive free SSI Blue Oceans access.
“Awesome experience to try diving for first time. The guides are super professional but also very easygoing people. They explain you everything step by step and I felt very safe under care of Paulho. Super fun activity :)”
Meet Catarina, Rafael, Filipe, or another certified instructor near Clube Naval de Sesimbra for a 30-minute briefing, speedboat ride, and first scuba session in Arrábida Marine Reserve. You may see wrecks, corals, and local fish. Equipment, photos, and SSI certification are included.
“Je recommande vivement cet activité Très bon rapport qualité/prix Moniteur au top ! Expérience incroyable Jolie fond marin”
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”
Meet Easydivers at 8:30 AM for a guided scuba trip to two Algarve sites, including natural and artificial reefs. You get two sessions of up to 50 minutes, with octopuses, crabs, conger eels, nudibranchs, and other marine life possible. Certified divers only.
“Everyone was lovely and really helpful. Would 100 percent go diving again with these guys”
Choose a coast, a certification level, or an animal.
