The 12 Best Diving & Snorkelling Trips in Madeira

1.Scuba Diving Experience in Madeira

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

First-time scuba try session in Funchal with classroom theory, pool practice, and a guided open-water experience plus a recognition certificate.

“For someone with no prior Scuba experience this was absolutely amazing! Getting taught the basic principles and mechanics in the pool before getting out and along the quay and down the steps into the sea and actual deep water it's amazing how easy it is (if you pay attention!) to get a real undersea experience. Such wonder and beauty hiding just below the surface. 10 metres is more than deep enough to get the sense of wonder and of moving through space in ways that are just impossible on land. And the beauty of the colours of the fish which are just incomparable to anything above the surface! We saw…”

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2.Diving in the Madeira Aquarium

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

Scuba with local sharks and rays at Madeira Aquarium in Porto Moniz. Small group, full gear, and natural pools included. English.

“Tout y est les piscines l aquarium les explications on se sent rassurée et on apprend énormément 4 h de plaisir non stop”

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3.Snorkelling Trip at Ponta de São Lourenço Protected Area

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 68 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Small-group afternoon snorkeling at Madeira’s Ponta de São Lourenço marine reserve. Gear included, guided safety briefing, limited 12.

“We enjoyed our time, the guide was very nice and gave us an excellent safety briefing, but unfortunately we saw much less wildlife than we had expected.”

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4.3 days Open Water Course | Scuba Diving

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

3-day SSI open-water scuba course in Funchal, Madeira. Pool and open-water sessions, equipment included, small group, English.

“We did our advanced PADI with Azul dive centre”

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5.KAYAK Rental or Guided tour with snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $29Best value

Kayak on Funchal's clear Atlantic, then snorkel with provided gear. Small groups, lifejackets required, eco-friendly tour.

“Fabio and Roberto made sure everyone had an amazing time. Very fun activity and suitable for most. My friend Marwan Alhaddad also says he enjoyed.”

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7.SUP Rental or Guided tour with snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 9 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $34

Paddle Madeira’s clear Atlantic from Funchal, then take a snorkel break with small groups and optional guided help in 1.5 hours.

“Wszystko poszło pomyślnie, widoki były przepiękne, dotarłam bez problemu. Cała obsługa jest serdeczna i pomocna. Jedyne co, to pan, który poinstruował mnie jak korzystać z deski - obiecał odebrać mnie z deski o umówionej godzinie, gdy skończę pływać (potwierdzonej kilka razy) nie dotarł. Po odczekaniu 10 minut na desce na wodzie, poprosiłam innych turystów na pomoście o pomoc w wejściu z powrotem na ląd i z zamocowaniem deski, żeby nie odpłynęła i żebym ja była bezpieczna.”

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8.DPV- Scooter Dive Adventure

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

Join a 2-hour Funchal DPV scooter session off Madeira, for certified divers. Fast battery powered propulsion, house reef access, small groups.

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9.Discover Scuba Diving or Try dive

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $86

First-time scuba try-out near Caniçal, Madeira with a private PADI-style lesson, all gear included, shallow-water marine life, about 3 hours.

“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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10.Garajau national park – certified divers

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

Certified divers head from Funchal to Garajau National Park on a boat trip to see curious Dusky Groupers with expert guides 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…”

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11.Wreck dive F488 Frigate – certified divers

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

A certified-scuba wreck session in Funchal, inside a prepared 80 m frigate reef. Small group, boat time, insurance, and logbook stamps.

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12.private sailboat tour for families, SUP, and snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $648

Private Madeira sailboat tour from Funchal Marina for families: SUP, snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, and chances to spot dolphins and turtles.

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