Featured
PADISSI
4.9(523)
From
€45
Azul Diving Center
Funchal / Caniçal
Verified
Two locations, championship dive sites, online booking
English, Portuguese
2-8 divers per guide
0m
10m
20m
30m
40m
Madeira Island, Portugal
Discover Madeira
Underwater
Compare Madeira dive centers, dive sites, seasons, and prices—book the right dive for your level
20+ dive sites
8 verified centers
Up to 40m visibility
Water Temp
22°C
December avg
Visibility
25-30m
Good conditions
Highlight
Groupers
Garajau Reserve
From
€45
Rating
4.85★
Explore
8+Verified Operators
4.85Average Rating
2,500+Happy Travelers
30+Years Active
Verified Operators
Every partner is personally vetted
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Help when you need it most
Local Expertise
Insider tips from residents
Why Choose Us
Why Dive in Madeira?
Madeira offers world-class diving & snorkelling madeira experiences you won't find anywhere else. Here's what makes it special.
01
Garajau's Famous Groupers
The dusky groupers at Garajau Nature Reserve are so habituated they'll swim right up to you. This protected marine area offers some of the most reliable big fish encounters in the Atlantic.
02
Volcanic Underwater World
Dive through lava formations, walls, caves, and tunnels created by Madeira's volcanic origins. The underwater geography is unlike anywhere else in Europe.
03
Crystal Clear Visibility
With visibility regularly reaching 30-40 meters in peak season, and up to 60m in Porto Santo, you'll see further than in most Mediterranean destinations.
04
Year-Round Diving
Madeira's mild Atlantic climate means diving is possible every month. Water temperatures stay between 18-24°C with the warmest months (Jun-Sep) offering perfect conditions.
Professional Dive Centers
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Discover Madeira's best dive operators, from PADI 5-star centers to local boutique dive shops with specialized expertise
Featured
PADICMAS
4.85(387)
From
€50
Manta Diving Madeira
Caniço de Baixo / Garajau
Verified
Garajau house reef, ISO certified, equipment renewed every 2 years
English, Portuguese
2-6 divers per guide
Featured
PADI 5★ IDC
4.9(612)
From
€45
Madeira Divepoint (XPoint)
Funchal
Verified
Only PADI 5-Star IDC in Madeira, est. 1991, free Nitrox after 4 dives
English, Portuguese
2-8 divers
Featured
PADISSI
4.9(156)
From
€60
Focusnatura
Santa Cruz
Verified
Underwater photography authority, competition organizers, wreck specialists
English, Portuguese
2-6 divers
Free Download
Free Madeira Dive Sites Bible
Get our comprehensive PDF guide with all dive sites, depths, difficulty levels, marine life, and best seasons. Plus medical clearance checklist.
- Complete dive sites database with depths & difficulty
- Marine life identification guide
- Wetsuit thickness guide by month
- Medical clearance requirements explained
- Operator comparison matrix
Get Your Free Guide
The complete guide to all dive sites
Dive Areas
Premier Dive Locations
From the vibrant marine reserves of Garajau to the dramatic deep-sea wrecks, discover the best underwater landscapes of Madeira
Beginner Friendly
Garajau Nature Reserve
01Flagship marine reserve, famous groupers, photography paradise
2-4 hours per dive tripCaniço / Garajau
Advanced Dive
Corveta Afonso Cerqueira (F488)
0285m navy corvette wreck, penetrable, Madeira's top wreck
Half day tripSouth Coast / Cabo Girão
Intermediate Site
Ponta de São Lourenço
03Protected area, best visibility, rare monk seal chance
Half to full dayEast Coast
Intermediate Site
Caniçal Dive Sites
04Wall dives, caves, morays, east coast exploration
2-4 hoursCaniçal
Intermediate Site
Porto Santo Island
05Crystal clear water, wrecks, hidden gem for serious divers
Full day or overnightPorto Santo
04 — Planning Your Trip
Best Time to Dive
Plan your dive trip by season
summer
Water 22-26°C, visibility 25-40m+, calmest seas, best conditions
winter
Water 16-18°C, visibility 15-20m, more swell/possible closures
spring
RecommendedWater 18-20°C, improving visibility, fewer crowds
autumn
RecommendedWater 20-24°C, excellent visibility 30-40m, ideal diving
Best Months
JuneJulyAugustSeptember
These months offer ideal conditions with pleasant temperatures, good visibility, and fewer crowds. Book early as these periods are popular.
05 — Be Prepared
What to Bring Diving
Essential items for your dive trip
01
Documents
- Dive certification card
- Logbook (required for wreck dives)
- Completed medical questionnaire
- Physician clearance (if applicable)
- Travel insurance with diving coverage
02
Equipment (Optional)
- Own mask and snorkel
- Dive computer (or rent)
- Wetsuit (5mm+ recommended)
- Underwater camera
- Dive torch (for caves/wrecks)
03
General
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Seasickness medication (for boat dives)
- Cash for tips/extras
- Change of clothes
- Towel
Pre-Dive Medical Checklist
Printable medical screening checklist with all requirements for diving in Portugal.
Pricing
Diving & Snorkelling Pricing
Madeira diving experiences range from affordable shore dives and try-dives to premium wreck dives and full certification courses. Most visitors spend €60-120 per person for a day of diving.
Shore Dives
€45
starting fromBoat Dive / Try Dive
€95
average priceCourses / Wrecks
€500
starting fromWhat's Typically Included
- Tanks and weights
- Professional dive guide/instructor
- Insurance
- Boat trip (where applicable)
Booking Tips
- Book 2-3 days ahead in peak season (Jun-Sep)
- Morning dives typically have better visibility
- Ask about multi-dive package discounts
Free Tool
Madeira Dive Trip Planner
Find out what gear you need and what conditions to expect
Exploration Guide
Interactive Dive Map
Discover the best underwater spots across Madeira and Porto Santo. From protected marine reserves to historic wrecks, every site is a new adventure.
Open Full Google Map10km Scale
Select a dive site on the map
To see specific details and highlights of each underwater location
Madeira Diving Insider
Monthly diving conditions, visibility reports, and operator deals.
Get exclusive dive center discounts
Questions
Frequently Asked
Everything you need to know about diving & snorkelling madeira in Madeira. Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch.
Ask a Question→Is diving good in Madeira?
Yes! Madeira offers excellent diving with volcanic underwater geology, marine protected areas (notably Garajau), year-round diving, and water temperatures of 18-24°C. The famous dusky groupers at Garajau are a highlight. While it's not tropical, the visibility (20-40m) and unique Atlantic marine life make it a rewarding destination.
When is the best time to dive in Madeira?
June to September offers peak conditions: warmest water (22-26°C), best visibility (30-40m+), and calmest seas. October-November is also excellent with fewer crowds. Winter diving (December-February) is possible but expect cooler water (16-18°C), reduced visibility (15-20m), and occasional storm closures.
What is the water temperature in Madeira?
Water temperature ranges from 16-18°C in winter to 22-26°C in summer, with an average of 18-24°C year-round. The water is often colder than visitors expect from such a mild air climate. A 5mm wetsuit is recommended year-round, with 7mm advisable for winter.
Do you need a certification to dive in Madeira?
For guided 'fun dives', yes - you need at least Open Water certification. However, uncertified visitors can do a Discover Scuba / Try Dive experience (€45-90) which includes training and a supervised dive to maximum 12m depth. This is a great introduction before committing to full certification.
What are the best dive sites in Madeira?
Garajau Nature Reserve is the flagship - famous for its habituated dusky groupers. The Corveta Afonso Cerqueira wreck (sunk 2018) is excellent for advanced divers. Other highlights include T-Reef for fish aggregations, Ponta de São Lourenço for visibility, and Porto Santo for crystal-clear water.
Is there wreck diving in Madeira?
Yes! The Corveta Afonso Cerqueira (85m navy corvette, sunk 2018) is the main attraction at 12-33m depth with penetrable structure. The Bowbelle wreck is for advanced divers. Porto Santo has additional wrecks. Wreck dives often require recent experience (6 dives in 12 months for the corveta).
What marine life will I see diving in Madeira?
Expect dusky groupers (especially at Garajau), moray eels, barracudas, rays, wrasses, and parrotfish on most dives. Octopus are occasional treats. The rare Mediterranean monk seal is possible but uncommon. Madeira offers Atlantic marine life, not tropical coral - the appeal is clear water, volcanic geology, and iconic species.
How much does scuba diving cost in Madeira?
Try dives (beginners): €45-90. Single fun dive: €30-50. 2-dive trip (most common): €79-125 including tanks, weights, guide, and insurance. Full equipment rental adds ~€22/day. Open Water course: €399-500 over 3-4 days. Prices vary by operator and whether own gear is brought.
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