PORTUGAL
This is the shortlist you would send a diving friend: 15 scuba diving trips worth the airfare, with the price, the certification needed and the one thing to check before you pay.
Try scuba in Funchal with pool training, a private reef, PADI guidance, colorful sea life, and small groups for $53.
“Super experience, with good and clear explanations, good exercices in the pool with attentive and patient instructors before diving in the sea. We went till 9 meters and so lot of colorful fish and even some octopus. It was worth the price. I recommend 200%.”
Try scuba in Funchal with pool practice, expert guidance, and a 45-minute reef session to 12 meters. See fish, rays, octopuses, and more.
“Full professional approach. All equipment and personnel seemed to be waiting for me. Trainer Theo, great thanks for showing me the ocean’s wild life with no stress at all.”
Try scuba in Madeira with pool training, a 45-minute sea session, full equipment, and close instructor support at Azul Diving Center.
“Did the first experiece with Scotch who was very professional and took very good care of us. He was patient and made sure all of us had the best experience posible. Thanks!”
Review of Madeira Aquarium’s small-group scuba session, with sharks, rays, natural pools, expert guides, costs, timing, and practical tips.
“Booked for a family of 4 on the basis that this activity was for a maximum of 4 people. On the day we arrived on time but were advised that they were running approximately 30 late and that another person was joining the group. This added around another 45 mins to the activity which meant a lot of waiting around wet & a little cold. On a positive note the instructor was great, particularly with the kids and overall it was a fab family experience”
Swim with sharks, rays, and mantas at Madeira Aquarium in Porto Moniz, with scuba training, equipment, and a behind-the-scenes tour.
“Great experience. Abilio is a fun and pleasant guy with very good english skills. He made us feel comfortable from the start and throughout the dive. Good equipment, great atmosphere. Highly recommended👌👌”
Try scuba in Albufeira with theory, pool practice, equipment, boat trip, and a guided sea session to 12 meters.
“I did the beginner diving course and couldn’t be happier with the experience. I had a short moment of panic at the beginning in the training pool under water (breathing under water if you trained all you life not to do that was surprisingly difficult), but João took so much time and care to help me calm down and feel safe. His patience and support truly made the difference – I went from nervous to completely comfortable underwater! Fernando explained all the theory in a clear and relaxed way, and both João and Fernando created such a calm and safe atmosphere, I always felt in good hands. We even saw…”
Try scuba in Lagos with a small guided boat trip, 35-minute ocean session, local instructors, caves, bays, and Algarve sea life.
“Das Team kümmert sich ganz wunderbar um einen. Wir waren nur zwei Teilnehmer und wurden vor, während und nach dem Tauchgang sehr gut betreut. Unser Tauchlehrer Nuno ist mit viel Ruhe auf uns eingegangen. Besonders den ersten Ängste konnte er mit seiner Herangehensweise entgegenwirken. Es lohnt sich sehr, wenn man das Tauchen einmal ausprobieren möchte. Eine große Portion Mut wird allerdings auch benötigt ;-) Wir sind ca 10 Meter tief getaucht und waren so lange unterwegs bis einem kalt wurde. Insgesamt eine unglaubliche Erfahrung! Tolles Team! Preis-Leistung passt vollkommen. Herzlichen Dank für das Erlebnis.”
Review of Vila Franca do Campo’s beginner scuba tour, with clear water, marine life, volcanic scenery, safety tips, price, and practical advice.
“We had a perfect start into diving with the Azores sub dive center!! It was just amazing!! Everybody was so friendly, our guides took perfect care of us. We will come back, definetly!”
Lisbon catamaran party on the Tagus with music, a one-hour open bar, water jumps, landmarks, and a spacious deck for $57.
“Best boat party ever! Staff were super helpful, friendly and fun! I would highly recommend!”
Try scuba in Arrabida Marine Reserve near Sesimbra with an SSI pro, boat ride, equipment, instruction, snacks, and underwater photos.
“We had a great time with our guides who were extremely patient and helpful. All I’m waiting on is our underwater photos but besides that it was fantastic!!”
Review of Albufeira’s four-hour scuba boat trip, with two guided sessions, equipment details, costs, safety steps, and booking advice.
“Estábamos alojados en Ayamonte y buscábamos donde bucear. Los comentarios de los sitios de Huelva eran poco motivadores y para colmo el más “aparente” solo daba cursos. Muy amablemente me recomendó el Algarve para bucear. Fue todo un acierto al dar con Easydivers. Un centro de buceo de calidad, bien organizado con un personal muy agradable. El barco fenomenal, muy cómodo para saltar desde él con el paso de gigante. Pudimos ver en la primera inmersión pulpos, congrios, morena, sepia, cangrejos y hasta una raya...espectacular y todo ello sin pasar de los 12 metros. Si tengo que decir algo malo, la temperatura (15) y la visibilidad (5) pero claro, es…”
Try scuba in Albufeira with pool training, close instructor support, and a 30-minute Algarve reef session for beginners.
“I enjoyed the whole experience and this has given me a taste of a potential new hobby. I will be looking into further training in the UK”
Review of São Miguel’s 3-hour boat-based scuba trip from Vila Franca do Campo, including cost, timing, equipment, safety, and who should book.
“Ricardo was very attentive. Took his tim with us made sure we where comfortable for our first time diving. Had rained in the morning so they gave us a discount because wasn’t 100% clear viewing under water. But saw plenty of sea life. Would go with them again. Great time and experience.”
Try scuba in Funchal with pool training, a PADI instructor, and a shallow reef visit for $54.31. Read practical safety and value advice.
“Goede instructie. Na een korte training uitgebreid in zee het rif verkend. Was leuk en leerzaam. We kregen ook instructie/uitleg over wat er te zien was.”
Try scuba in Arrábida Marine Reserve near Lisbon, with calm instruction, a speedboat ride, reefs, octopuses, sea stars, and 1,000 marine species.
“On s’est vraiment régalés pour ce baptême de plongée ! Les deux moniteurs étaient super gentils et vraiment adorables, ils parlaient très bien anglais, ce qui a permis de tout comprendre facilement. Les explications étaient top, et on a pu voir plein de beaux poissons, des poulpes, vraiment une expérience géniale ! Je recommande fortement !!!!”
Pick a coast, a depth or a licence.
