Continue reading »]]> Scuba diving in Madeira has been gaining increasing importance among those who visit the islands. The mild climate throughout the year, the temperature of sea water to about 18 and 23°C, clear waters and very likely to see species such as large groupers, dolphins, stingrays and manta rays are the main reasons why divers consider the islands of Madeira for holidays.
The Madeira Archipelago is situated in an area of ocean waters typically with great depth, thus forming a sea extremely crisp and dark blue.
These characteristics are mainly due to the volcanic islands, which are nothing more than huge underwater mountains that rise from the abyssal plain. Along the coast you can find a wealth of underwater life where fish as emblematic as the Mere, the Spotted Morey, or the Seahorses stand out.
A mile off the coast, you can find oceanic features where several species of tuna and small pelagic fishes such as Atlantic horse mackerel and mackerel which are important fishery resources of the region as well as blue marlin, much sought by big game fishing.
There are several diving schools and leisure companies, mainly located in Funchal and Caniço, who teach diving courses for all levels, diving excursions for more experienced and even equipment rental.
Dives as the Yacht Club where there are numerous guns at a maximum depth of 25 meters and large fish.
It should also be noted that there are two nature reserves – Desert Islands and Savage Islands – and two Marine Reserves – Garajau and Rocha do Navio. The latter, located in the municipality of Santana, is known for being the natural habitat of the monk seal (Monachus monachus), also known as the Fur.
Porto Santo Island is known and visited by scuba diver for a long time, for the clarity, the colour and the temperature of its waters and the beauty of the seabed. The place for divers is the area south of the harbour, where the ship “Madeirense” that linked the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo for decades sunk in 2000.  hundreds of divers have already visited the spot, and they all agree on the potential to become a world-class diving site. Read more about Madeira Islands…

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Porto Santo was the last Portuguese jewel to be known among the diving community, but was the first place where a shipwreck was purposely sunk for divers in Portugal, giving strength to the expression “last but not least”. Since it went down in 2000, the “Madeirense” wreck has gained importance in local tourism. Hundreds of divers from around the world have visited already this incredible dive site and experienced the clearest water in Portugal. Just 40 kilometres from Madeira and 1000  from mainland Portugal, with no rivers and endless open waters around, that make 40 to 60 meters visibilities possible, perfect for dives in the blue. There are a few mountain tops where you can see big schools of barracudas, tunas and lilies. In the winter and spring dolphins, common whales and sperm whales cross this waters, just on time for your vacation. Around the island there are over 20 dive sites to suit all needs. If you love warm waters and good visibility, Porto Santo is the most certain place to find it, all year round, in Portugal. The 70 meter length of “Madeirense” provides a home to numerous species. Look for sting rays in the sand and be ready for encounters with large groupers at all times. If you love going deep, don’t miss the famous black coral. The discovery type divers can see canons and anchors and free away their imagination to these perfect waters. Don’t expect a lot of macro life, except for a few nudibranches; they all live in Madeira Island. Named as Golden Island, Porto Santo is the most complete beach of Portugal with 6 miles of sand, the warmest waters and peace, a lot of peace. It is a quiet island and its people want to keep it so. When you come to Porto Santo leave all your stress and bad habits at your local airport and bring your peace and serenity so you can blend in and make the best of your time. For sure they have one of the best senses of humour of Portugal. Learn some Portuguese and you will see what it means to be funny around here.

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In 1986 was declared the first and only Marine Reserve in Portugal, with 6 miles in length, 376ha and around 600 meters wide. The intention was to protect the local and endemic species and to use the reserve has a nursery to develop and establish species such as the groupers and the monk seals. The Garajau Marine Reserve is included in Madeira National Park along with the Desert Islands and the Savage Islands. You can say that nearly all Madeira Archipelago is a National Park, and that alone is a big reason for a visit. Dives along Garajau are unique. Only here you can paddle 65kg groupers like pets as they lay on the sand sideways for you to scratch their belly; only here you can see giant anemones giving shelter to clown shrimps; only here you can dream watching a monk seal in a regular dive; only here you have good diving conditions nearly everyday in a year. Under water you see massive stone blocks. You will imediately note the absense of gorgonians, soft or hard corals, alowing the fishes to be the kings. And there are plenty. The sand around is heavy and mixed with broken shells so, even on hard current days, the water is crystal and those annoying sand clouds produced by divers as they go by, is less intense in density and time to settle. So if you want to see something cool, you just wait a bit and you can, rather then other places where the cloud will persist and, sometimes will ruin your entire dive.  In around 6 to 12 meters you can see lots of fire worms, sea-spiders, common and zebra sea breezes, damsel fish with their typical territorial attitude, and the energetic Mediterranean rainbow wrasse with colours you will never forget. Between the stone blocks the garden eels and amazing spotted moray eel with glasslike teeth can surprise you anytime. Around 12 to 24 meters, you usually see hogfishes and incredibly yellow groupers comfortably familiar with divers and therefore, a very cool and predictable species. Pay attention between the stones for giant anemones and you will find tiny clown shrimps sheltering in, under and around the anemones. Also at the bottom where the stones and block finish and the round and hard sand starts you often see brown eagle rays and big groupers in their cleaning stations. Don’t be surprised to see a shrimp inside a grouper’s mouth having breakfast or lunch. Water is very clear so look up and around all the time to see what’s coming. Maybe a turtle, manta rays or barracuda schools will make your day. If you explore the sand line you can find garden eels and lizard fishes disguised perfectly in the sand. Madeira is an island so, you can go deep if want. Depths around the island go really deep and, literally anything can come up for a visit, like manta rays, deepwater octopuses or even sharks. The local monk seal colony at Garajau is well and growing as well as many other species thanks to the reserve and bio-responsibility of visiting divers and we can expect to dive here for many years. Garajau is certainly one of the top 10 dives in Portugal. If you are a top diver you shouldn’t miss it.