The 12 Discover Scuba Diving in Portugal Worth Getting Wet For

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

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

Meet the Azores Sub Dive Center at Vila Franca do Campo Marina for a safety briefing, equipment lesson, and boat ride to the volcanic islet. You receive close supervision in the water, with guides such as Ivo, Ricardo, Rodrigo, Veronika, and Yanni helping beginners spot octopuses, eels, fish, and historic cannons.

“This was such a perfect activity! We were with a group of 5 & 4 from the center. Before we got on the boat to get to the diving location, we got a short but helpful introduction about the basics of scuba diving, with the remark that during this time of the year the visibility isn't that great. We got our gear and went on the boat: the vibe was relaxed. First 3 others went in, all with their own experienced diver. While we waited on the boat for our turn, we could go snorkeling and later get ready with someone from the center, who was very chatty and eased…”

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2.Try Scuba Diving in Arrabida Marine Reserve with photos

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

Meet at Porto Abrigo in Sesimbra for a three-hour beginner scuba session in the Arrábida Marine Reserve. An SSI professional teaches you the basics, guides you to a maximum of 10 meters, and stays with you throughout the underwater session. Equipment, a boat ride, snacks, and underwater photos are included.

“The divers team, they were very lovely and professional, they tought us everything before the dive and afterwords”

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3.Try Dives – Discover Scuba Diving in Albufeira

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

Start at Easydivers in Albufeira Marina with a short theory lesson and pool practice. Then board the boat for a guided reef session to 12 meters, lasting about 30 minutes. Instructors work with two students each, and staff such as Paulo, Mario, and Macedonia are praised for calm, patient support. Equipment, water, and a six-month SSI certificate are included.

“Very nice atmosphere and professional team! Amazing, exciting but safe experience that is definitely worth trying!”

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4.Try Dive in Arrábida Marine Reserve Setubal Sesimbra

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

Meet at Creiro Beach near Anicha Bar for a two-hour beginner scuba session in the Prof. Luiz Saldanha Marine Park. You’ll learn equipment basics and underwater breathing before a guided swim among reefs, coral gardens, octopuses, sea stars, and other marine life. Certified instructors speak English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish.

“On s’est vraiment régalés pour ce baptême de plongée ! Les deux moniteurs étaient super gentils et vraiment adorables, ils parlaient très bien anglais, ce qui a permis de tout comprendre facilement. Les explications étaient top, et on a pu voir plein de beaux poissons, des poulpes, vraiment une expérience géniale ! Je recommande fortement !!!!”

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5.Try Scuba Diving in Arrábida Marine Reserve w/photos

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

Meet Arrábida Experiences near Clube Naval de Sesimbra for a 30-minute briefing, then take a speedboat into Arrábida Natural Park for your first scuba experience. Certified instructors such as Catarina, Rafael, Filipe, and Phillip guide you through the equipment and underwater skills. Photos, technical gear, and SSI certification are included.

“An amazing diving experience in the beautiful marine park of Arrabida. Catarina and Rafael were both very supportive and made the experience very enjoyable! We saw a wide variety of plants and sea-life, which made the experience even more special. The experience has inspired me to take up scuba diving as a hobby. Would highly recommend and can’t wait to come again soon!”

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6.Terceira Island:Try Scuba in a Shipwreck-Archeological park

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 30 reviews · 1 day · from $129

Meet Scubazores Divers for a 120-minute SSI Try Scuba session, then make a supervised 30-minute descent to 8 meters in Angra Bay’s underwater archaeological park. Portuguese and English instructors, including Zeferino and Diogo when scheduled, guide small groups through the Lidador wreck and local marine life.

“Muito divertido, o guia é super profissinal. so nao dou 5 estrelas, porque gostava que tivesse a opcao de fotografias debaixo d eagua para podermos ficar com uma recurdacao do mergulho. De resto foi muito giro, vimos imensos peixes e os destrocos do navio.”

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7.Third Island:Try Scuba in a Shipwreck-Archeological park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $132

Meet Scubazores at the Marina Store in Angra do Heroísmo for a 90-minute beginner scuba session at the Lidador wreck. Instructors such as Jeff and Sophia provide patient training before guiding you to the 9-meter wreck, where you may see octopus and fish. Weather may shift the session to the sheltered harbor.

“This was incredible. My wife and I did this for our honeymoon. Jeff and his wife Sophia dove with us down to the shipwreck. Their focus on safety and patience in letting is practice before diving made us feel very safe and comfortable. It is right off the beach, so you don't need to drop in from a boat. Its 9m down. Super fun. We saw and touched a wild octopus, saw lots of fish, tool photos by the wreck. It was truly incredible and unforgettable. Book as early as you can!”

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8.Try Dive Marine Reserve, Arrábida, Setúbal, Sesimbra, near Lisbon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $102

Meet the Wind team in Arrábida Natural Park for a two-hour first scuba experience in the Professor Luis Saldanha Marine Reserve. You’ll receive instruction, equipment, and accident insurance before exploring Atlantic reef life with an instructor such as Carlos. Transfers from Lisbon or elsewhere can be arranged for an extra fee.

“Great experience with the Learn to Dive. Sign in process, instruction, and equipment fitting was easy and the team provided great information. The dive itself was incredible. Carlos was an great dive master and had us exploring all sorts of sea life We came via Uber from Lisbon and that process was also easy and carefree I would highly recommend this for anyone who even wanted to try diving.”

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9.Lisbon Eco-Try Dive – Diving Baptism

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $117

Meet Anthia Diving Center in Sesimbra for a three-hour beginner scuba session in Professor Luíz Saldanha Marine Park. You’ll learn the basics, enter the water with one instructor for every two participants, and help with simple seabed conservation work. The session ends with a Mission Deep Blue certificate.

“It was amazing and unforgettable experience with friendly people.”

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10.Eco – Try Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $103

At Anthia Diving Center in Sesimbra, you’ll learn basic scuba skills, then enter confined or open water with one instructor for every two people. The four-hour eco experience includes equipment, seabed cleanup, and a Mission Deep Blue certificate. It starts at 2:30 pm and suits beginners with moderate fitness.

“This was my first scuba dive. The staff was very professional and very kind. I had a marvelous experience and felt safe at all times. I highly recommend this.”

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11.Discover Scuba Diving or Try dive

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $86Best value

Start at 9:00 am in Caniçal, where a private instructor covers scuba basics before taking you into shallow sea water for your first underwater session. The roughly three-hour PADI or SSI program includes equipment and pickup anywhere in Madeira. It may count toward PADI certification, but confirm the exact certification outcome before booking.

“En France, il existe une expression « être pris pour un pigeon »... nous avons eu le sentiment de nous être gentiment, mais sûrement, bien fait arnaquer !!Un conseil n’y allez pas.”

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12.Try diving, breathing underwater Lisbon region

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $162

Meet your instructor in Sesimbra for a four-hour first-time scuba session off the Setubal coast. Learn breathing control and hand signals, use supplied equipment, and spend time observing marine life in open water. Groups are limited to six. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available as an upgrade.

“Portugal Dive was great experience. You guys understood my needs and requirements and were able to match me up with a dive and group that was perfectly suited to what I was able to do. In addition, you guys helped me organize logisticRead more”

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