15 Madeira Scuba Diving Worth Booking

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 with a safety lesson and pool practice. Then, if you choose the ocean option, follow a PADI instructor to a private reef near Funchal for a first scuba experience among colorful fish, coral, starfish, and possible octopus sightings. English, German, Portuguese, and Spanish support is available.

“Our scuba diving course was an unforgettable experience overall! Our instructor was super friendly and, after a brief theoretical introduction, familiarized us with the equipment. After that, we went to the pool for some practice, which was a bit shorter than expected, before we headed straight into the sea – a fantastic experience! Another particularly positive aspect is that you have the opportunity to obtain a diving certificate and that German-speaking instructors are on-site. The only small downside: the time listed online didn't quite match the actual duration. Otherwise, it was really nice, and we would do it again anytime!”

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2.Funchal: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

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

Start with a short scuba lesson and pool practice, then head into Funchal’s Protected Area for a guided 45-minute visit to a private reef, reaching up to 12 meters. Patient instructors such as Rafa, Esme, Jessie, and Roberto help beginners manage the equipment and stay calm. Expect fish, octopuses, rays, and other Madeira sea life.

“A brilliant introduction for first time divers. I booked onto this as an advanced diver so that my partner could experience diving for himself and we both had a wonderful time. Our instructor Sam was energetic and supportive throughout the whole dive, informative without being confusing or long winded, and clearly in love with his profession. 10/10”

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3.Scuba Diving Experience in Madeira

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

Learn basic scuba skills at Azul Diving Center in Funchal, practice in the pool, then spend up to 45 to 50 minutes in the sea at a maximum depth of 12 meters. Instructors such as Rafa, Esme, and Guadalupe stay with you throughout. Equipment and a certificate are included, with groups limited to four.

“I had a great time, it was my first time scuba diving so I wasn’t sure what to expect but the instructor was very patient and very helpful with learning what we needed before heading to sea. I had an amazing experience and thoroughly recommend to anyone thinking about trying!”

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4.Diving in the Madeira Aquarium

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

At Madeira Aquarium in Porto Moniz, you learn scuba basics with a professional guide, practice in the Cachalote natural pools, then enter the 6-meter main tank with sharks, rays, morays, and local fish. Abílio, Manuel, and Michael are among the instructors named by guests. No prior scuba experience is required.

“My mum and I had such a great time diving with our instructor. My mum was a little nervous and he could not have been more kind. It was really great to see the aquarium up close and personal and see all the amazing fish they have there. He made the experience fun and safe even though we were completely inexperienced divers. It's really worth doing - where else in the world can you do this?”

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

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

At Madeira Aquarium in Porto Moniz, you learn basic scuba skills with an instructor before entering the main tank beside sharks, rays, and mantas. The three-hour visit includes equipment, a guided aquarium tour, natural-pool practice, and a look at the technical zone. Small groups are limited to four, and instruction is available in four languages.

“Beautiful experience and the guide is so funny and professional!”

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6.Funchal: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $54

At Madeira Divepoint in Funchal, you learn scuba basics, practice in a pool, then take an optional sea dive with a PADI instructor. Miguel is praised for his calm, patient coaching. The small group, clean hotel facilities, equipment, and private reef make this a practical first underwater experience, though sea conditions can affect visibility.

“Goede instructie. Na een korte training uitgebreid in zee het rif verkend. Was leuk en leerzaam. We kregen ook instructie/uitleg over wat er te zien was.”

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7.3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $527

Spend three focused days learning scuba skills with Azul Diving Madeira in Funchal. You’ll study, train in a pool, then complete open-water sessions with an instructor such as Lupii, Esmeralda, or Nico. The small group size, sea access, and SSI certification make this a practical start to future underwater trips.

“We did our advanced PADI with Azul dive centre”

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8.Funchal: Certified Scuba Diving, Guided Tour

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

Meet your instructor at the Carlton Hotel’s sea-level dive center for a 30-minute safety briefing, equipment setup, and a relaxed shore-entry scuba session in Funchal’s Marine Protected Area. Groups are limited to three. You can rent gear, an underwater camera, or torch, and guides speak five languages.

“Super activité, l’accompagnatrice a pris le temps avant car je n’avais pas plongé depuis longtemps, et a su me mettre à l’aise Les fonds marins étaient magnifiques, j’ai vu beaucoup de poissons”

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9.Funchal: Advanced Scuba Diving Afonso Cerqueira Wreck

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

Join Azul Diving Madeira for a certified scuba trip from Funchal to the Afonso Cerqueira wreck near Cabo Girão. At up to 30 meters, you can swim along the 85-meter ship and visit its engine room, cafeteria, and captain’s deck. English-speaking staff, boat transport, tank, weights, and insurance are included.

“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”

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

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

At Azul Diving Center near Quinta do Lorde Marina, you learn scuba basics, practice in a pool, then spend about 45 minutes at a private reef in the Ponta de São Lourenço Protected Area. English-speaking instructors such as Nico, Doro, and Jesi guide beginners to a maximum depth of 12 meters, with equipment and a certificate included.

“Everything was handled very professionally, and our guide, Nico, explained everything perfectly. Despite our nerves, we managed to dive. We saw lots of fish and a large stingray. Nico was a great help. I highly recommend it to everyone.”

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11.Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners in Ponta de São Lourenço

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $102

Azul Diving Madeira takes beginners from a short theory lesson to shallow-water practice, then into the sea at a private reef in Funchal’s Protected Area. The session lasts about two and a half hours, uses full scuba equipment, and is limited to two people. Guides including Rafa, Vlad, and Nico are noted for calm, careful instruction.

“Great time with Vlad and his mate. In spite of the cloudy weather, we had a lovely time. We recommend this snorkeling experience because it's fun and safe.”

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12.Garajau National Park Dive from Funchal for Certified Divers

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · from $51

From Madeira Divepoint at Hotel Carlton in Funchal, you take a short boat ride east to Garajau Partial Nature Reserve for a guided scuba outing. Certified divers need at least 10 logged dives and one dive within the past year. Expect abundant fish, dusky groupers, a maximum group of 12, and about two and a half hours door to door.

“Price deceiving. apart from the fine print of Nat Park entrance Fee (3€) Rental equipment available for a fee (19€) i ended up paying 29€ for some unknown reason. they did not even give me boots and my feet were freezing.”

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13.Funchal: DPV- Scooter Dive Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $69

Meet your guide at Madeira Divepoint inside the Pestana Carlton hotel for a briefing, equipment check, and a guided DPV scooter outing from the nearby house reef. This certified-diver experience is limited to two participants and includes a tank, weights, scooter, guide, and insurance. Bring certification, swimwear, and a towel.

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14.Discover Scuba Diving or Try dive

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $86

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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15.Funchal: Wreck dive F488 Frigate – certified divers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $50

Join Madeira Divepoint at the Pestana Carlton for a 2.5-hour boat excursion to the Corveta Afonso de Cerqueira, an 80-meter former navy frigate prepared as an artificial reef. You’ll receive a safety briefing, equipment check, guided underwater time, and marine-life viewing near Cabo Girão. Certification, recent experience, and a computer are required.

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