Diving and Snorkelling on Madeira
A fortuitous combination of deep inshore waters and the warmth of the Gulf Stream make Madeira’s south coast an ideal destination for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts. The marina reserve at Garajau is one of the island’s most-popular diving locations, thanks to its rich biodiversity, clear waters and an abundance of marine life: tuna, stingrays, groupers, moray eels, barracuda, parrot fish and trumpet fish are resident species, asl well as hunting octopi and the occasional shark.
To the west, the protected marina park at Cabo Girao offers a unique diving experience for qualified divers. The Portuguese Navy skuttled a warship, the decommissioned Corveta Afonso Cerqueira, in 2018 as part of a project to create an artificial reef. The eighty-five-metre-long ship is still in excellent condition, and it’s possible to visit the exterior of the wreck (where most of the marine life is found), but also the vessel’s interior, its engine room and its bridge.
For anyone keen to dip their toe into the world of diving, you might like to include a one-day Try Scuba Diving experience, or you could complete a full Open Water PADI course as part of your holiday. Both courses takes you from the controlled confines of a pool to diving in open water, all under the close supervision of a certified instructor.
Snorkelling is an increasingly popular pursuit with visitors to the island – for both beginners and experienced snorkellers. You’ll be thoroughly briefed in advance of your trip, we’ll provide all the equipment you’ll need, and a qualified guide will be with you every step of the way. The Garajau marina reserve is the best location once again, with its abundance of marine life and the spectacular cliffs of Madeira’s south coast as a backdrop.
