Part of our complete guide: Activities and tours on Madeira
The main thing: Garajau
The Garajau marine reserve off Caniço is why people dive here. Protected since the 1980s, with the result that the fish have lost their flight distance: dusky groupers the size of a bathtub come within a metre. That is not a lucky day, that is the rule.
What is on offer
| Option | from | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Try dive (pool + sea, no certificate) | €42 | 2.5–3 h |
| First sea dive, Caniçal | €68 | 2 h |
| Snorkelling in the eco-park or from a boat | €19 | 2 h |
| Diving with sharks and rays, Porto Moniz aquarium | €135 | 3 h |
| Guided dive for certified divers | approx. €45–60 | 2–3 h |
The try dive almost always starts in a dive centre’s pool before going to sea — the best first experience, because you practise breathing in shallow water before the bottom drops away.
The dive at the Porto Moniz aquarium is an oddity: nurse sharks and rays in the tanks of an old fort, rated 4.9. Not a wilderness experience, but weather-proof — which makes it the best option for a storm day in the north.
What to watch for
- Water temperature: 18 °C (February/March) to 24 °C (September). The 5 mm suit is in the price.
- Fitness to dive: self-declaration is standard; heart, lung or ear problems mean a doctor’s certificate.
- Do not dive on your departure day — 24 hours before flying, more after repeat dives.
- Minimum age usually 10 (try dive) or 12 (certified).
- North coast only in calm seas; in winter it is often cancelled and moved south.
- Certified divers: bring your card, and a logbook does no harm.
Book it or do it yourself?
Diving needs a centre, so book. But if you only want to look into the water, mask and snorkel get you a long way at Garajau: the reserve starts right at the pebble beach, and the big fish are not only at 20 metres.
Common questions
How much does diving on Madeira cost?
A try dive with pool and sea starts at €42, a first sea dive at Caniçal at €68, and a guided dive for certified divers around €45–60. Snorkelling in the eco-park or from a boat starts at €19. Diving with sharks and rays at the Porto Moniz aquarium is from €135.
Why is the Garajau marine reserve known for diving?
Because the fish have been protected there since the 1980s and have lost their flight distance: dusky groupers the size of a bathtub come within a metre. That is the rule, not a lucky day. Madeira is not a reef destination but a wall destination — the rock drops away underwater exactly as it does above.
How warm is the water for diving on Madeira?
Between 18 °C in February and March and 24 °C in September. The 5 mm suit is in the price. Visibility of 20 to 30 metres is normal. The north coast works only in calm seas and in winter is often cancelled and moved south.
What should you watch out for when diving on Madeira?
Do not dive on your departure day — 24 hours before flying, more after repeat dives. Fitness to dive is usually declared by self-assessment; heart, lung or ear problems mean a doctor’s certificate. Minimum age is usually 10 for a try dive and 12 for certified divers. Bring your card.
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