Porto Moniz: Diving with Sharks and Rays in Madeira Aquarium

At Madeira Aquarium, you can trade open-ocean uncertainty for a controlled underwater meeting with sharks, rays, and mantas. The three-hour experience includes a natural-pool practice session, the aquarium’s main tank, and a look behind the scenes at how the facility cares for its animals.

I like the small groups of up to four, which give the instructor room to work at your pace. I also like that the session is not just a tank swim: the technical-zone tour and guided aquarium visit add useful context before you enter the water. The main consideration is that the tank is not enormous, so this is a close animal encounter rather than a long-distance underwater expedition.

Key points to know before booking

• Meet Abílio at Madeira Aquarium: Abílio Sousa is the instructor most often named for this experience, and he teaches in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French.
• Start in a natural ocean pool: You learn to handle the equipment and get comfortable in the water before entering the aquarium tank.
• Swim beside sharks, rays, and mantas: The controlled setting lets you see species that can be hard to find in the open sea.
• See the aquarium’s working side: The technical-zone visit explains how the water is filtered and how the animals are cared for.
• Bring swimwear and a towel: The experience costs $159 per person, lasts three hours, and is for participants aged 10 and older.

Why this Porto Moniz experience is different

Many first-time scuba sessions take place in a swimming pool with little connection to the local marine world. This one gives you a short introduction in Madeira’s natural ocean pools, followed by time inside the main tank at Aquário da Madeira.

That change of setting gives the activity a nice rhythm. You first learn how the mask, breathing equipment, and other gear feel in the water. Then you enter a controlled aquarium environment, where the animals are close and the instructor can keep the session calm and focused.

You are not promised a long underwater route or a certification course. Instead, you get a carefully managed introduction to scuba skills, combined with a guided aquarium visit. That makes it a good choice for someone who wants to try scuba without committing to a full qualification.

The facility is in Porto Moniz, on Madeira’s northwestern coast. Your meeting point is Aquário da Madeira, and you show your voucher to the staff there. No transport, food, or drinks are included, so plan your route and meal separately.

Meeting Abílio and getting ready

The experience begins with a briefing. You learn how to use the equipment, how to breathe with it, and what to expect once you are in the water. The instructor also has time to answer questions and watch how comfortable you are before moving on.

Abílio Sousa is specifically praised for his calm manner, humor, and ability to explain each step clearly. That matters here. Breathing through scuba equipment for the first time can feel strange, and an instructor who lets you pause is worth far more than one who rushes through the basics.

The small group limit helps. With no more than four participants, the instructor can keep an eye on each person and adjust the pace. If you are nervous, you should say so at the start. This is exactly the sort of activity where a few extra minutes of practice can make the rest much more enjoyable.

The equipment needed for the session is provided. You should bring swimwear, a towel, and beachwear. Food and drinks are not included, so you may want to eat before or after the three-hour activity.

Practicing in Madeira’s natural ocean pool

Before entering the aquarium, you use a natural swimming pool for your first water practice. This is one of the strongest parts of the experience because it gives you a chance to find your balance and get used to the equipment in water connected to the sea.

You may practice basic movement, breathing, and equipment handling here. The exact amount of time can depend on your comfort and previous experience. Someone who has already used scuba equipment may move on more quickly, while a first-timer can use the pool to build confidence.

I see this as more useful than a rushed pool demonstration. The natural setting makes the preparation feel connected to Madeira, while the controlled conditions keep the first steps manageable. It also gives the instructor a chance to check that you are ready for the aquarium tank.

The water practice is not only for people who feel afraid. Even confident swimmers can find breathing underwater unfamiliar. Your ability to swim does not automatically mean the equipment feels natural, so treat this part as real preparation rather than a formality.

Touring the aquarium before entering the tank

The guided aquarium tour gives you a chance to see Madeira’s marine life before your own water session. You can look at fish and crustaceans, learn about the animals in the facility, and get a better idea of what you may see in the main tank.

This order works well. You are not simply dropped into the water without context. First, you learn about the aquarium and its species. Then you practice outside. Finally, you enter the tank with a clearer sense of the environment around you.

The aquarium is not described as a giant public aquarium, and one person found the main tank a little small. That is worth keeping in mind. If you expect the scale of a major international aquarium, you may find the space modest. The benefit is that a smaller setting can make the animals feel close and easy to observe.

You might see sharks, rays, mantas, and a range of other fish. The exact animals near you cannot be guaranteed, since they are living creatures rather than scheduled performers. The appeal is the chance to observe them at close range in a setting where the instructor can guide you.

Behind the scenes in the technical zone

The technical-zone tour is an important extra. You learn how the water is filtered and how the aquarium supports the animals behind the public displays.

I like this part because it changes the way you see the tank. Instead of treating it as a glass box full of fish, you begin to understand the work needed to keep marine animals healthy. The technical side also gives the aquarium visit more substance than a quick walk around the exhibits.

The tour and briefing in this area are included in the three-hour schedule. You should not expect a full engineering lesson, but you do get an explanation of how the facility operates and cares for its animals. For anyone curious about aquariums, this may be as interesting as the underwater session itself.

It also helps explain why the aquarium is a sensible place for a first attempt. The tank is monitored and maintained, and the staff can manage the setting in a way that is not possible in open water.

Entering the main tank with sharks and rays

Once you are ready, you enter the main aquarium tank with your instructor. This is the centerpiece of the experience, but the preparation is what makes it work.

You can watch sharks, rays, mantas, and other fish at close range. Some participants have been able to touch fish during the session, but you should not assume that touching an animal will happen. The priority is safe, respectful observation.

The instructor stays with you throughout the underwater portion. Abílio is especially noted for keeping people calm and checking that they are comfortable. That is useful for first-timers, children aged 10 and older, and anyone who feels unsure about breathing underwater.

You may also find that the experience suits mixed-ability groups. Someone with previous scuba experience can enjoy the unusual setting, while a beginner can receive step-by-step help. The session is not presented as a certification, so experienced divers should book it for the animal encounter rather than advanced skill development.

The main tank has the advantage of proximity. You do not need to search the sea for a shark or ray that may never appear. Instead, you can focus on your breathing, your instructor, and the animals moving nearby.

The tradeoff is freedom. You are in a controlled aquarium tank, not exploring a reef or coastline. If your goal is a full ocean scuba trip, this will feel limited. If your goal is a safe first taste with unusual marine life, the limits are part of the appeal.

What the $159 price includes

At $159 per person, this is not a cheap aquarium ticket. The price makes more sense when you count the parts included: a guided aquarium tour, the technical-zone visit, the briefing, natural-pool practice, equipment, and the main-tank session.

You are paying for instruction as well as access. That is important for first-timers, since the instructor’s attention and the chance to build confidence before entering the tank are central to the experience.

The small group size also improves the value. Four people is the maximum, and some time slots may have fewer participants. A smaller group means less waiting and more direct help, though group size can vary by booking.

For an experienced scuba user, I would compare this cost with the price of a regular sea trip before booking. The aquarium setting is the special feature, not a long route or a series of underwater sites. For a first-time participant, family outing, or memorable birthday activity, the combination of instruction and close animal encounters is easier to justify.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to you if you want to try scuba without taking a certification course. It is also a strong fit if you are fascinated by sharks and rays but do not want to rely on spotting them in open water.

Families can consider it, with some conditions. Participants must be at least 10 years old, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. The experience has worked well for children who were initially nervous, but every child will respond differently to the equipment and underwater setting.

The activity can also suit couples, small groups of friends, and people celebrating a special occasion. One person used it as a birthday present, and the combination of the aquarium tour and tank session gives the day a clear sense of occasion.

I would be more cautious if you have a cold, are pregnant, or have a medical restriction involving sports or scuba activity. Those conditions are listed as reasons not to take part. You should also avoid flying on the same day as the session for safety reasons.

Timing, languages, and practical planning

The activity lasts three hours, but starting times vary. Check availability before building it into a full day in Porto Moniz. You should not schedule a flight on the day of the session.

The instructor can communicate in Portuguese, English, Spanish, or French. Abílio’s English has been described as clear, which is useful when instructions involve breathing, equipment, and safety.

Wear swimwear and bring a towel and beachwear. Because food and drinks are not included, plan those around the activity. You show your voucher at the aquarium, so keep it ready when you arrive.

The booking terms are flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. That is useful if your Madeira plans depend on weather, transport, or changing family schedules.

Should you book this aquarium scuba session?

I would book it if you want a calm, closely supervised first experience with sharks, rays, and mantas. The strongest reasons are the small group, the natural-pool practice, the equipment provided, and Abílio’s patient approach.

I would skip it if you want a long open-water route, certification training, or a huge aquarium with wide swimming space. The main tank is relatively compact, and the activity is built around a memorable introduction rather than a serious scuba course.

For most suitable participants, the $159 price buys more than a short underwater photo opportunity. You receive preparation, guidance, a public aquarium tour, a technical-zone visit, and a controlled animal encounter. If that mix matches your idea of a Madeira adventure, this is a practical and unusual way to spend three hours in Porto Moniz.

FAQ

Where does the experience start?

It starts at Aquário da Madeira in Porto Moniz. Show your voucher to the aquarium staff when you arrive.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts three hours, including the aquarium tour, briefing, natural-pool introduction, technical-zone visit, and main-tank session.

Do I need scuba certification?

No certification is stated as required. The activity includes an introduction to scuba equipment, a briefing, and practice in a natural pool before you enter the aquarium tank.

What marine animals might I see?

You can expect the chance to see sharks, rays, mantas, and other fish in the main aquarium tank. The exact animals near you cannot be guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and beachwear. Food and drinks are not included.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, or people with a cold. It is also not offered to people with medical restrictions related to sports or scuba activity. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.