7 Beginner Scuba Dives in Portugal to Book Now

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.”

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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.”

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3.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”

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4.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”

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

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

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.”

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6.Madeira, Ponta São Lourenço: Scuba Diving for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $53

Start with a short scuba lesson and shallow-pool practice at Azul Diving Center, then spend about 45 minutes in the sea at a private reef near Ponta São Lourenço. Instructors including Nico, Doro, and Jesi keep beginners calm while you look for octopuses, rays, morays, and colorful fish. English instruction and small groups are provided.

“Ein ganz tolles „erstes Mal „ beim Tauchen. Jesi hat mich liebevoll an die Materie herangeführt und während des Tauchgangs sorgsam über mich gewacht. Ich fühlte mich sicher und konnte ein tolles Erlebnis in einer natürlichen Höhlw genießen. Empfehle ich definitiv weiter.”

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7.Lagos: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 3 hours · from $165

Meet the WeDive Lagos team for a theory briefing and pool training in the afternoon, then return the next morning for a shallow sea session by boat. Small groups of up to eight, multilingual instructors, full equipment, and snacks make this a calm first taste of scuba. Guides include Delfina, Afonso, Iván, Margot, José, and Gerald.

“There is nothing to top this adventure - Thanks to Delfina, Afonso, Iván, Margot, José and Gerald! You can’t beat the price compared to the service: over one hour privat diving course in a nearby huge pool, including the whole equipment and drive. Next day a professionally organized boat tour (with even more equipment ;) ), snacks and VERY patient guides in small groups. The team is so friendly, encouraging, and sympathetic about every struggeling of the attendees. This is a great way to get known to the feeling of diving - no matter if you do the 6 meters in the end or not. 😅 Thank you all and…”

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