Madeira dive sites
Portugal · Browse dive locations by depth, type and conditions.
Best Season
May to October
Skill Levels
intermediate
Nearby Cities
Funchal
All dive sites
Dive centers in Madeira
Dive Madeira
Funchal · Madeira · Portugal
Madeira volcanic coast diving with monk seals and marine reserve.
Madeira Diving Center
R. Dom Francisco Santana · Madeira · Portugal
Atalaia Diving Center
Travessa Vista da Praia · Madeira · Portugal
Azul Diving Madeira | PADI 5 star dive center in Funchal
R. Carvalho Araújo · Madeira · Portugal
Mero Diving Center
9125-080 Caniço · Madeira · Portugal
Manta Diving Madeira
9125-036 Caniço · Madeira · Portugal
Haliotis Madeira Diving Center
9200-126 Machico · Madeira · Portugal
Madeira Divepoint - Dive&Snorkel
São Martinho · Madeira · Portugal
Cipreia Dive Club Madeira | Funchal
Estrada Monumental 177 · Madeira · Portugal
Atlantic Diving Center - Clube Naval do Funchal
São Martinho · Madeira · Portugal
Dive Around Madeira
loja nº 1 · Madeira · Portugal
Lava Diving Center - diving in Madeira aquarium
9270-153 Porto Moniz · Madeira · Portugal
Scorpio Madeira diving center
9200-031 Caniçal · Madeira · Portugal
Calheta Diving Center
9370-135 Estreito da Calheta · Madeira · Portugal
Madeira Oceanos - Diving Center ( Focusnatura)
Ribeira da Boaventura Loja nº 2 · Madeira · Portugal
Cipreia Dive Club Madeira | Caniço - Praia dos Reis Magos
Praia dos Reis Magos · Madeira · Portugal
Azul Diving Madeira | Ponta de São Lourenço
9200-044 Caniçal · Madeira · Portugal
Porto Santo Sub - Scuba & Freedive Center
Porto Santo - Madeira · Madeira · Portugal
Rhea Dive Center
9400-000 · Madeira · Portugal
Diving in Madeira
Madeira offers reef dive sites across 1 location. Browse dive locations by depth, type and conditions before planning your dive.
FAQ
How big are the groupers at Garajau?
The dusky groupers at Garajau are among the largest in Europe, with individuals regularly exceeding 30 kilograms and some estimated at over 50 kilograms. Decades of strict marine protection have allowed these normally shy fish to reach impressive sizes and lose their fear of divers. They approach closely, sometimes within arm's reach, and will follow divers throughout a dive. The density of large groupers at Garajau is considered one of the highest in the Atlantic, making it a benchmark for what marine protection can achieve.
What are the rules for diving in the Garajau Marine Reserve?
Diving in Garajau requires authorization from the reserve management and must be conducted through licensed dive operators. The number of divers is limited daily to reduce impact. Touching marine life is strictly prohibited, and gloves may not be worn to discourage contact. Spearfishing and collecting are banned. Anchoring is prohibited, with dive boats using permanent mooring buoys. These restrictions have been in place since the reserve was established in 1986 and are credited with the remarkable recovery of marine life, particularly the grouper population.
When might I see monk seals at Garajau?
Mediterranean monk seal sightings at Garajau are rare but documented, as a small population inhabits caves along Madeira's coast. Sightings are more likely during the summer months from June to September when the seals are more active. The Desertas Islands southeast of Madeira host the main monk seal colony, and individuals occasionally range to the Garajau reserve. Any encounter should be treated with extreme care, maintaining maximum distance and avoiding any behaviour that might disturb this critically endangered species.