12 Scuba Diving Trips on Madeira Worth the Drive

1.Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

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

Beginner scuba in Funchal with PADI training, pool practice, and a first ocean session on a private reef with colorful Atlantic marine life.

“It’s was out of the world. Initially signed up for the pool only but then went to the ocean. The whole team were very kind and friendly, no pressure and so understanding. I was only able to do this brilliant experience because of our amazing scuba diva instructor (Vivianne). She literally held my hand throughout the ocean dive. I can’t express my gratitude to the whole team. It was mind blowing. Only issue is to make sure you have cash if using pool option first and then want to add the ocean dive.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Scuba Diving Experience in Madeira

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

Try scuba in Funchal with classroom theory, pool practice, gear included, and one real open-water session to 12 m, plus a certificate.

“Rafa tended to our every need and did all he could to help or family have an enjoyable experience. Highly recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Diving in the Madeira Aquarium

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

Scuba in Madeira Aquarium, Porto Moniz: guided intro in natural pools and a 6m tank with sharks, rays, morays. Up to 4.

“The guide is attentive and educational. He takes care of all the participants. He knows the underwater life well and explains it well. It was a very nice experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Diving with Sharks and Rays in Madeira Aquarium

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

Porto Moniz Aquarium scuba tank experience with warm-up in natural pools, a technical zone tour, and up close mantas, rays, and sharks.

“Amazing first diving experience with an amazing guide who comforts you very well. From te instruction of diving, to the tour through the aquarium, everything went perfect. We were just with the two of us so we had plenty of time which makes it even more nice. Petted two of the fishes during the dive. Couldn’t be more happy!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving

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

SSI Open Water course in Funchal, Madeira with Azul Madeira. Small group, equipment included, English training, cert to 18m max.

“After doing more than 20 dives with Azul I can say only good things. I started with open water course with Esmeralda and then did a dive almost every Saturday. From relaxed shore dives to night dive. I dived with Esme, Guadalupe, Theo, Sam, Raffa, Roberto, Tony and Scott. And each one of them was fully professional and very nice. Their boat skippers Francisco and Vlad are always helpful and take care of you on the boat.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Certified Scuba Diving, Guided Tour

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

Certified shore scuba tour in Funchal’s Eco Park with a small group, guided underwater session, UW scooter time, and Atlantic wildlife viewing.

“This is a great place to dive if you are new to diving. You will have a personal guide for the dive. My guide was excellent. The dive is shallow — the maximum depth we reached was 36 ft. We saw barracuda, a sleeping octopus, many schools, etc. It’s a very relaxing dive and great place to build confidence.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Advanced Scuba Diving Afonso Cerqueira Wreck

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

Join a guided scuba wreck visit in Madeira to the 85m Afonso Cerqueira, entering the engine room and cafeteria with English instruction.

“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

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

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

Beginner scuba training in Madeira’s Ponta de São Lourenço: pool practice, a 12-meter reef session, and a participation certificate.

“Nico has been an excellent guide: it was the first time for me and he made me feel super comfortable and relaxed. He has been super clear during the "lesson time" and help me when I wasn't able to equalize at the beginning. I liked the experience a lot and never felt in danger. Also we saw lot of fishes, an octopus and a couple of anemones, and that was super nice! Highly recommended”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.DPV- Scooter Dive Adventure

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

Ride a battery-powered underwater scooter off Funchal’s house reef with a certified guide. Small group, fast, fun, and built for max sea time.

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Discover Scuba Diving or Try dive

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $86

PADI Discover Scuba in Madeira near Funchal with pickup, gear included, theory, and a short shallow-water session to see marine life.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Garajau national park – certified divers

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $50

Certified scuba boat outing from Funchal to Garajau National Park, with top spotting chances for friendly Dusky Groupers and logbook stamps.

“Niks dan lof voor deze mensen. Als beginnende duiker was mij aangeraden om eerst een duik vanaf de kant te doen voordat ik aan de Maracuja-duik begon. Helaas kreeg ik tijdens deze laatste duik last van paniek. Hier werd direct adequaat op gereageerd, waardoor ik de duik toch heb kunnen afmaken onder begeleiding. Na afloop werd er op de boot continu gecheckt of ik oké was, en ik werd aangemoedigd om een nieuwe duik in te plannen om mijn angst te overwinnen. Ook tijdens die tweede duik, een paar dagen later, werd ik goed in de gaten gehouden, zonder me ongemakkelijk te laten voelen. Mijn speciale dank gaat uit naar…”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Open Water Diver First Certification Course

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 3 days · from $495

Madeira 3-day Open Water Diver course with e-learning, pool practice, and 4 sea training sessions for a small group of up to 4.

Check availability →Read our full review