An excellent destination for those looking for an active holiday or wanting to start diving
Madeira is a small island, just under 1000 square kilometers and lies between the Portuguese mainland and the Canary Islands. Madeira is a former volcano that extends from nearly 4 kilometers deep in Atlantic up to nearly 2 kilometers high at the highest point, Pico Ruivo in the middle of the island. Due to its origin, the island has a dramatic nature with gorges and valleys that are difficult to access. Climates are variable depending on where on the island you are. From near-tropical forest to semi-desert and wintertime, even snow can occur at high altitudes.
The island geographically belongs to the African continent but has belonged to Portugal since the 1400th century. Madeira has its own government and is an autonomous region with its own president as well The azores and governs itself as long as one does not go against Portuguese laws. The island lives mainly on tourism and is known for its wines and beautiful nature. There are several endemic species of plants and animals here. Here, in addition to diving, you can also experience paragliding, hiking, climbing, cycling and much more. You can go on a diving trip here all year round to dive and have a holiday.
Diving in Madeira is available between March and until the New Year. The temperature during the year is usually between 18-24°C with the period July - September being the warmest. January - February as normally the coolest but then diving is not available. The temperature is quite constant even when you get down a little deeper. A thicker wetsuit or dry suit is recommended when you go on your diving trip here to Madeira.
Dramatic rock formations, grottoes and swimthroughs
Diving with large groupers, rays, barracudas, shoals of fish and good visibility.
Occasional wrecks and a chance to see monk seals
Free diving and UV scooter
The diving at Madeira offers typical marine life from the eastern part of the Atlantic, Parrot fish, barracuda, horse mackerel, wrasse, trumpet fish, moray eels and groupers are common. Here you can sometimes also see frogfish, seahorses, monk seals, mobulas, stingrays and spiny sharks. A few wrecks that have been sunk as artificial reefs are located a bit out to sea and they attract large amounts of marine life.
The diving is varied and the dive sites are between five and down to +40 meters. Here is the diving for all levels of divers. From beginners to more experienced, there is something for you. Caves, ravines, wall diving, stream diving, wreck diving and for those who like diving with an underwater scooter, the opportunity is here. Madeira is also a good place to get your first diving certificate and learn to dive. The visibility is generally very good and the diving is often easy. Snorkeling and free diving are also popular here. Diving only takes place with land-based accommodation and daily boat trips here or on the house reef. There are none liveaboard which operates around Madeira.
The large groupers found at Cap garajau can grow up to 1,5 meters long and are used to divers. They are grateful subjects for photography and even selfies. In addition to fish, you will also see many different invertebrates, anemones, corals, sponges, various crustaceans and sometimes nudibranchs or nudibranchs. Octopuses, both eight- and ten-armed, can also be seen here sometimes and if you're really lucky, a turtle may pass by and even dolphins can sometimes appear in the middle of a dive.
