Scuba Diving Albufeira-Double Dive Trip

Two boat trips, one morning, plenty of sea time. This Albufeira scuba outing gives certified participants two guided underwater sessions from the marina, with a professional crew, tanks, weights, and hot showers waiting afterward. I like the easy boat access to the sites and the careful check-in process, including a medical form, certificate check, and clear safety briefings. The main catch is price clarity: the advertised $101.59 does not include the suit and several key pieces of equipment, which add €20 per person if you rent them.

I also like the small maximum group of 10, since that gives the guides room to pay attention to different comfort levels. The underwater scenery can be pleasant rather than spectacular, though. Conditions may include cool water around 15°C and visibility near 5 meters, and fish life is not always especially varied.

Key points to know before booking

• Two guided sessions from Albufeira Marina: You travel by boat to one site, then continue to a second site before returning.
• Certified participants only: You need at least Open Water certification, swimming ability, and a completed health questionnaire.
• Equipment costs extra: Tanks and weights are included, but a suit, regulator, mask, gloves, boots, and fins cost €20 at check-in.
• Professional crew: Guides Fernando and Matias, along with Captain João, have received praise for clear briefings and personal support.
• Each session has a time and air limit: The first lasts up to 55 minutes or 60 bar, and the second up to 50 minutes or 60 bar.
• Useful facilities afterward: Hot showers and logbook support make this easier for visitors who want a tidy finish to the morning.

Starting at Easydivers in Albufeira Marina

You meet at Easydivers Dive Center, at Passeio dos Oceanos, Lote 4, Loja 5, in Albufeira Marina. The scheduled start is 8:30 am, and the activity lasts about four hours, ending back at the same place.

That early start makes sense. You get the morning on the water, and the schedule leaves time for two sessions without turning the outing into an all-day commitment. I would arrive with enough time to locate the shop, handle paperwork, and avoid a rushed equipment fitting. A missed start is not refundable, so punctuality matters.

At check-in, you present your scuba certificate and complete an RTCW form plus a medical questionnaire. This is standard international procedure, but it is still useful to know before you arrive. If you have asthma, a heart condition, or another medical concern, check with your doctor before booking. You also need to know how to swim.

The trip is for certified scuba participants only, with a minimum Open Water level. It is not a first-time lesson or a resort-style introduction for someone with no certification. If you are newly certified or have not been underwater for a while, tell the staff. The crew has helped less experienced participants feel more settled, and the guides can offer practical tips before and during the sessions.

Sorting out the equipment and extra cost

After check-in, you move to the equipment area. If you bring your own kit, you can save time at this stage. If you rent, staff assign the equipment and help you prepare it.

The included package covers tanks and weights. It does not cover the suit, regulator, mask, gloves, boots, or fins. Renting these items costs an additional €20 per person, paid at check-in. This is the most important price detail to understand before you book.

At $101.59 per person, the trip is reasonable for a four-hour boat outing with two guided sessions, tanks, weights, professional staff, and bottled water. The value becomes less clear if you need the full rental package and have to add the €20 fee. If you already own your personal equipment and regulator, the advertised price works better.

Equipment quality has been praised, including rental kit described as clean and in good condition. The attached shop also carries scuba gear at what has been described as fair pricing. Still, ask exactly what you need to rent when you confirm your booking. The listing’s equipment wording can be easy to skim past.

Taking the boat from the marina

Once everyone is ready, you board with the professional scuba team. The boat takes you from Albufeira Marina to the first underwater site, removing the need to arrange a separate transfer or walk along the coast with a full kit.

The boat itself has been described as comfortable, with an easy giant-stride entry. That matters more than it may sound. A stable boat and a simple entry can help you feel calm, especially if you are returning to scuba after a long break or using unfamiliar rental gear.

Before entering the water, the guide gives a site briefing. Expect instructions about the plan, the conditions, the group, and the safety procedure. The crew has been praised for making these briefings clear and for paying attention to different experience levels.

Guide Fernando and guide Matias have been specifically recognized for their support. Captain João handles the boat, completing a team that has earned strong marks for professionalism and friendliness. The overall rating is 4.7 from 95 ratings, and 92 percent of customers recommend the activity. Those numbers point to reliable service, though they do not guarantee the same underwater conditions on every morning.

The first session, up to 55 minutes

The first underwater session lasts a maximum of 55 minutes or until your tank reaches 60 bar. The air limit comes first if you use air more quickly, so the exact time may be shorter.

This first visit is where the local conditions will make the biggest impression. Albufeira offers pleasant coastal sites, but this is not marketed as a tropical wildlife trip. You might see octopus, conger eels, moray eels, cuttlefish, crabs, or even a ray. One particularly successful account described seeing all of these at depths no greater than 12 meters.

That kind of shallow profile can be reassuring for newer certified participants. It may also suit you if you prefer a relaxed pace and time to look closely rather than a demanding technical outing. At the same time, another account noted limited fish variety, so set your expectations sensibly. The charm here is the chance to explore local Portuguese waters with a guide, not a promise of constant large marine life.

Water temperature may be around 15°C, and visibility can be close to 5 meters. Bring the right attitude and ask about the suit before you enter. Cool water can affect comfort and air use, particularly if you are not used to Atlantic conditions.

Surface interval and the second site

After the first session, you return to the boat and move toward the second site. The crew debriefs the first outing and then explains the plan for the next one.

This is a strong feature for anyone who wants more than a single short look underwater. You get two chances to adjust to the water, the equipment, and the local conditions. If your first session feels a little tense, the second may feel easier once your breathing and buoyancy settle.

The second session has a maximum of 50 minutes or 60 bar. The slightly shorter limit is still enough for a useful second visit, but you should not expect two identical blocks of time. Your actual duration depends on air use and the guide’s safety plan.

A two-site format also gives you some variety, though the exact locations are not fixed in the available information. Weather and sea conditions affect the final plan. Good conditions are required, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation.

Returning to shore and finishing the morning

After the second session, the boat returns to Albufeira Marina. Back at the center, hot showers are available. That simple facility is a real advantage after a cool morning in the Atlantic, especially if you have plans afterward.

You can then record the details in your logbook with help from the staff. This is useful if you want an accurate record of the sites, times, and equipment used. It also gives the morning a proper finish instead of sending you away as soon as you leave the boat.

Bottled water is included. Food and other drinks are not, so plan to eat before or after the activity. Souvenir photos are available to purchase, but they are not included in the price. If photographs matter to you, ask about the arrangement before setting off rather than assuming a photographer will document every part of the outing.

Who will get the most from this trip

This is best for a certified scuba participant who wants a guided morning on the Portuguese coast without arranging a private boat. The two-session format gives you a fuller outing than a single coastal visit, while the four-hour duration leaves the rest of the day open.

It also suits you if you value staff support. The crew has been praised for explaining procedures, helping with paperwork, offering tips to infrequent participants, and showing one customer how to use a new dive computer. That kind of practical help is especially useful when you are certified but out of practice.

The trip may be less suitable if you want warm water, excellent visibility, or dense marine life. The Algarve can offer enjoyable underwater moments, but local conditions may be cool and visibility may be modest. You should also calculate the extra €20 equipment fee before comparing this with other options.

Children under 10 years old and shorter than 1.40 meters cannot take part. Pregnant women cannot take part for safety reasons. The activity is near public transportation, and most people who meet the certification and health requirements can participate.

Timing, cancellation, and practical planning

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the trip is often booked about three weeks ahead, reserving early is sensible if your schedule in Albufeira is fixed.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the 8:30 am start. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted. If you miss the outing because you are late or do not show, you should expect to lose the payment.

Do not schedule this activity within 48 hours of flying. That is a basic but important scuba safety rule. If your holiday ends with a flight, place this morning early enough in your itinerary to leave the proper interval.

The group maximum is 10 people. That is small enough to support a personal feel, although the actual experience will still depend on the mix of certification levels and sea conditions that day.

Should you book the Albufeira double session?

I would book this if you are already certified, want two guided outings by boat, and appreciate a professional center with clear procedures. The strongest reasons are the helpful crew, the small group limit, the hot showers, and the chance to see local species such as octopus, moray eels, cuttlefish, and rays.

I would hesitate if your main goal is tropical-style underwater scenery or if you dislike cool water and limited visibility. Also add the €20 equipment fee to your budget if you need the suit, regulator, mask, gloves, boots, and fins.

For a certified participant staying in Albufeira, this is a well-organized way to spend a morning on the water. Just arrive early, bring your certification, check the medical requirements, and treat the marine life as a pleasant possibility rather than a guarantee.

FAQ

Is this Albufeira scuba trip suitable for beginners?

It is for certified scuba participants only, with a minimum Open Water level. You must also know how to swim and complete the required health questionnaire.

What time does the activity start?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 am at Easydivers Dive Center in Albufeira Marina.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts approximately four hours and ends back at the marina meeting point.

Is scuba equipment included?

Tanks and weights are included. A suit, regulator, mask, gloves, boots, and fins cost an additional €20 per person at check-in. You may also bring your own equipment.

How long are the two underwater sessions?

The first has a maximum duration of 55 minutes or 60 bar. The second has a maximum duration of 50 minutes or 60 bar.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size may also lead to a new date or full refund.