Scuba diving · PORTUGAL

15 Scuba Diving Trips in Portugal Worth Booking

23 dives  ·  from $33 a diver

Good dive boats fill up days ahead in season. Below: the 15 to book first, what each includes and how they differ.

Funchal: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners - The first 45 minutes: safety and basic skills
Madeira Scuba Diving, Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving for Beginners, Scuba Diving for Beginners in Portugal, Tour Reviews

Funchal: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

1.Funchal: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 715 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $53Our pick

Start at Madeira Divepoint inside the Pestana Carlton hotel. A PADI instructor explains the equipment and safety basics, then coaches you in a pool before the optional ocean session at the center’s private reef. Small groups of up to six, multilingual staff, and close support make this a friendly first scuba experience.

“Very well organised. Help provided as needed. Equipment clean and modern. Saw loads of fish and many types- very colourful. Strongly recommended.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Funchal: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners - The first 45 minutes: safety and basic skills
Madeira Scuba Diving, Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving for Beginners, Scuba Diving for Beginners in Portugal, Tour Reviews

Funchal: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

2.Funchal: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 494 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $53

At Azul Diving Madeira, you learn scuba skills in English, practice in a swimming pool, then spend up to 45 minutes at a private reef in Funchal’s Protected Area. Instructors such as Rafa, Esmeralda, Roberto, and Jessie guide beginners to a maximum depth of 12 meters, with possible sightings of octopuses, rays, seahorses, and colorful fish.

“Full professional approach. All equipment and personnel seemed to be waiting for me. Trainer Theo, great thanks for showing me the ocean’s wild life with no stress at all.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Scuba Diving Experience in Madeira - Pool practice before the Atlantic
Madeira Scuba Diving, Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Tour Reviews

Scuba Diving Experience in Madeira

3.Scuba Diving Experience in Madeira

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 266 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50Top rated

Meet Azul Diving Madeira in Funchal for a classroom briefing, pool practice, and one supervised sea dive lasting up to 45 or 50 minutes. Instructors including Rafa, Esme, Guadalupe, Theo, and Scotch help beginners reach a maximum depth of 12 meters. Equipment and a recognition certificate are included.

“Amazing experience, nice and friendly staff and very easy to understand. First time diving and couldn't fault anything. Managed to stay 40 minutes underwater, so cool.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Diving in the Madeira Aquarium - From the Cachalote pools to the aquarium tank
Aquariums, Madeira Scuba Diving, Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Tour Reviews

Diving in the Madeira Aquarium

4.Diving in the Madeira Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 215 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $163

Join Abílio, Manuel, or Michael for a guided scuba session at Madeira Aquarium in Porto Moniz. You need no prior experience. The 2.5-hour outing includes instruction, equipment, a swim in Cachalote natural pools, an aquarium tour, and time in the 6-meter tank with sharks, rays, morays, and local fish.

“This diving experience was the highlight of our trip. The diving instructor was really nice. We didn't have any diving experience before but that didn't matter. It was amazing to dive with the fish and sharks. I would totally recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Porto Moniz: Diving with Sharks and Rays in Madeira Aquarium - Meeting Abílio and getting ready
Aquariums, Madeira Scuba Diving, Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Shark Dives & Cage Diving, Tour Reviews

Porto Moniz: Diving with Sharks and Rays in Madeira Aquarium

5.Porto Moniz: Diving with Sharks and Rays in Madeira Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 192 reviews · 3 hours · from $159

Join instructor Abílio at Madeira Aquarium for a three-hour first-time scuba experience with sharks, rays, and mantas. You will learn in a natural ocean pool, tour the aquarium and technical zone, then enter the main tank with all equipment provided. Groups are limited to four people.

“The overall experience was great from start to finish. Abilio is a friendly and easy going instructor with a great sense of humour. He made everyone in the group feel comfortable and safe during the dive. He provided an informative tour of the aquarium and sea life in Madeira and explained how they operate and so on. Highly recommend doing this 👍”

Check availability →Read our full review

Albufeira: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners - Theory first, with no shortcuts
Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving for Beginners, Scuba Diving for Beginners in Portugal, Tour Reviews

Albufeira: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

6.Albufeira: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 161 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $162

Learn scuba basics with Easydivers in Albufeira during a 3.5-hour session led in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. You will study safety, practice in a pool, then take a boat to a maximum depth of 12 meters with an instructor beside you. Equipment, insurance, and a certificate are included.

“Very well organised, would definitely do this again, thanks guys for a great experience”

Check availability →Read our full review

Lagos: Guided Scuba Diving Trip for Beginners - Learning the equipment before entering the Atlantic
Guided, Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving for Beginners, Scuba Diving for Beginners in Portugal, Tour Reviews

Lagos: Guided Scuba Diving Trip for Beginners

7.Lagos: Guided Scuba Diving Trip for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 131 reviews · 3 hours · from $135

Meet Atlasdivertido in central Lagos, learn the basics, then take a short boat ride to the coast with an English, Portuguese, or Spanish-speaking guide. Nuno, Melanie, Gui, and Tee have helped beginners manage nerves and spot octopus, cuttlefish, squid, fish, and other sea life during a 35-minute ocean session.

“Wish waters weren’t that murky but excellent experience”

Check availability →Read our full review

Vila Franca Do Campo: Introduction to Scuba Diving Tour - A 30-minute supervised scuba session
Discover Scuba Diving, Discover Scuba Diving in Portugal, Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Tour Reviews, Tours

Vila Franca Do Campo: Introduction to Scuba Diving Tour

8.Vila Franca Do Campo: Introduction to Scuba Diving Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 117 reviews · 3 hours · from $154

Meet the Azores Sub Dive Center at Vila Franca do Campo Marina for a 30-minute safety lesson, boat ride, snorkeling, and a supervised first scuba experience near the volcanic islet. Guides such as Ivo, Rodrigo, Ricardo, Veronika, and Yanni provide patient one-to-one support in Portuguese, English, or Spanish.

“I had an awesome time. It was a lot of fun saw a lot of cool things. My instructor Yanni explained everything to a T made it really simple so I knew exactly what was gonna happen and the weather was perfect and everything went great.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Lisbon: Try Scuba Diving in Arrabida Marine Reserve with photos - The boat ride and Arrábida Marine Reserve
Discover Scuba Diving, Discover Scuba Diving in Portugal, Photography Sessions, Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Setubal Scuba Diving, Tour Reviews

Lisbon: Try Scuba Diving in Arrabida Marine Reserve with photos

9.Lisbon: Try Scuba Diving in Arrabida Marine Reserve with photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 99 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $108

Meet your SSI Professional in Sesimbra for a three-hour beginner scuba session in the Arrábida Marine Reserve. You’ll learn basic skills, descend to 10 meters, ride by boat, use supplied equipment, and receive underwater photos. Morning and afternoon options, groups capped at 10, and the full course may count toward later SSI training.

“The crew was so educated and fantastic, I guess we could have picked a better area to dive but since this was my first experience was good enough. The only missing thing is the set of pictures I was supposed to receive.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Try Dives - Discover Scuba Diving in Albufeira - The indoor tank is the most important part
Discover Scuba Diving, Discover Scuba Diving in Portugal, Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Tour Reviews

Try Dives – Discover Scuba Diving in Albufeira

10.Try Dives – Discover Scuba Diving in Albufeira

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $157

At Easydivers in Albufeira Marina, you learn basic scuba skills, practise in an indoor tank, then head by boat to an Algarve reef. An instructor stays close in the sea, with a maximum depth of 12 metres and about 30 minutes underwater. The small groups, full equipment, and SSI follow-up credit make this a useful first step.

“Très belle expérience ! Équipe au top, très sympathique, qui fait preuve de patiente et de pédagogie, nous étions très bien encadrés et avons adorés ce moment malgré parfois quelques petites incompréhensions dues à la barrière de la langue.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Lisbon: Try Dive in Arrábida Marine Reserve Setubal Sesimbra - From Creiro Beach to the boat
Discover Scuba Diving, Discover Scuba Diving in Portugal, Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Setubal Scuba Diving, Tour Reviews

Lisbon: Try Dive in Arrábida Marine Reserve Setubal Sesimbra

11.Lisbon: Try Dive in Arrábida Marine Reserve Setubal Sesimbra

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 53 reviews · 2 hours · from $100

Join a two-hour beginner scuba session at Prof. Luiz Saldanha Marine Park near Sesimbra. Certified SSI and CMAS instructors teach you to breathe underwater, use the equipment, and explore reefs by guided boat transfer. You may see octopuses, sea stars, lobsters, rays, anemones, and other marine life.

“Great tour! Very passionate and knowledgable guide. Would do it again😄”

Check availability →Read our full review

Arrábida - Sesimbra: Eco-Friendly Beginner's Scuba Diving - The boat ride to a historic marine site
Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving for Beginners, Scuba Diving for Beginners in Portugal, Setubal Scuba Diving, Tour Reviews

Arrábida – Sesimbra: Eco-Friendly Beginner’s Scuba Diving

12.Arrábida – Sesimbra: Eco-Friendly Beginner’s Scuba Diving

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · 4 hours · from $111

Spend four hours learning basic scuba skills before taking a boat to a historic site in the Professor Luiz Saldanha Marine Park. You will receive an SSI and Wild Sea Europe recognized introduction, insurance, a participation certificate, and free SSI Blue Oceans access. The team speaks Portuguese, English, and Spanish, with groups capped at 10.

“Professional team, instructors and the staff very nice people, kind and welcome to help, the immersion was fantastic I enjoyed a lot. surely I will go back soon.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Lisbon: Try Scuba Diving in Arrábida Marine Reserve w/photos - The 20-minute speedboat ride is part of the attraction
Discover Scuba Diving, Discover Scuba Diving in Portugal, Photography Sessions, Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Setubal Scuba Diving, Tour Reviews

Lisbon: Try Scuba Diving in Arrábida Marine Reserve w/photos

13.Lisbon: Try Scuba Diving in Arrábida Marine Reserve w/photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 3 hours · from $106

Learn to breathe underwater in Arrábida Marine Reserve with certified instructors such as Catarina, Rafael, Filipe, and Phillip. Your three-hour outing includes a 30-minute briefing, a 20-minute speedboat ride each way, equipment, photos, and an SSI certification. Expect shipwrecks, corals, fish, and striking views of Arrábida Natural Park.

“Je recommande vivement cet activité Très bon rapport qualité/prix Moniteur au top ! Expérience incroyable Jolie fond marin”

Check availability →Read our full review

Funchal: Certified Scuba Diving, Guided Tour - A relaxed shore entry into the Atlantic
Dives for Certified Divers, Guided, Madeira Scuba Diving, Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Tour Reviews, Tours

Funchal: Certified Scuba Diving, Guided Tour

14.Funchal: Certified Scuba Diving, Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 34 reviews · 2 hours · from $33Best value

Join a certified-only scuba outing from the Carlton Hotel in Funchal. After a 30-minute safety briefing, you spend about an hour underwater in the Eco Park Funchal with a guide and no more than three participants. Expect relaxed shore access, schools of fish, possible octopus and barracuda sightings, and optional gear, torch, and underwater camera rental.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review

Funchal: Advanced Scuba Diving Afonso Cerqueira Wreck - From Azul Diving Center to Cabo Girão
Madeira Scuba Diving, Portugal Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving, Tour Reviews, Wreck Diving

Funchal: Advanced Scuba Diving Afonso Cerqueira Wreck

15.Funchal: Advanced Scuba Diving Afonso Cerqueira Wreck

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 22 reviews · 2 hours · from $64

Meet the English-speaking team at Azul Diving Center Madeira for a boat trip to the Afonso Cerqueira wreck near Cabo Girão. Certified Open Water divers with at least six logged dives and recent practice can reach the ship at up to 30 meters, explore the engine room and cafeteria, and add a serious wreck site to their logbook. Equipment rental is extra.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review

Just added: Portugal Scuba Diving

★ 5.0Lisbon: Become a Scuba Diver in 3-DaysFrom $5632 reviews
★ 5.0Funchal: Wreck dive F488 Frigate – certified diversFrom $502 reviews

Keep exploring

Spain Scuba DivingTenerife Scuba DivingLanzarote Scuba DivingGran Canaria Scuba DivingMallorca Scuba DivingBarcelona Scuba Diving
Scroll to Top

Explore the dive world

Pick an ocean, an animal or a kind of dive.

First dives

Try divesBeginner daysPADI coursesHelmet sea walksSnorkelling

For certified divers

Certified divesTwo-tank boat divesWreck divesFun divesPrivate charters

Big animals

Shark divesManta raysSea turtlesNight divesFreediving

Strange water

CenotesUnderwater museumsSilfraCoral reefsUnderwater scooters