Porto Moniz: Diving with Sharks and Rays in Madeira Aquarium

Sharks are closer than you think. At Madeira Aquarium in Porto Moniz, you can learn basic scuba skills, then enter the main tank with sharks, rays, mantas, and other sea life. I like the small groups, limited to four people, and the patient instruction from guides such as Abílio Sousa. I also like that the experience includes more than time in the water: you get an aquarium tour, a look at the technical area, and practice in a natural ocean pool. The main drawback is that the aquarium tank is not huge, so this is a close wildlife encounter rather than a long open-water expedition.

This is a strong choice for a first underwater experience, especially if you feel nervous about breathing through equipment. The warm-up in the lava pools gives you time to find your balance before entering the tank. At $159 per person, it is not a cheap aquarium visit, but the price includes equipment, instruction, several guided activities, and the main tank session. You should also avoid flying on the same day and skip the activity if you have a cold, are pregnant, or have a medical restriction related to scuba sports.

Key points to know before booking

• Small groups of up to four: You get more personal attention than on a large group activity.
• Practice in a natural ocean pool: This is where beginners can get used to the mask, breathing equipment, and movement in the water.
• Main tank encounter: The indoor aquarium session brings you close to sharks, rays, mantas, and many smaller fish.
• Behind-the-scenes access: You visit the technical zone and learn how the aquarium filters and manages its water.
• Ages 10 and up: Children under 18 need a guardian, and the activity is not suitable for anyone under 10.
• Three hours from start to finish: The time includes the guided aquarium visit, technical briefing, pool practice, and tank session.

Porto Moniz gives the experience a natural start

The activity begins at Aquário da Madeira in Porto Moniz, on Madeira’s north coast. You show your voucher to the aquarium staff, then meet the team for the day’s program.

The location matters because your first water practice takes place in a natural swimming pool rather than only in a classroom or a shallow indoor basin. These ocean pools give you a chance to handle the equipment and learn how your body moves in the water before the main event.

For a beginner, this step is valuable. The first few minutes with a mask and air supply can feel awkward. You may need time to control your breathing, clear your ears, and find a comfortable position. The instructor can work through these basics before you enter the aquarium tank.

The pools are also a good fit for anyone who feels uneasy around scuba equipment. Several participants have been nervous at the start, including children and first-time adults. The teaching style is patient and gradual, with the instructor taking the session at your pace rather than rushing you toward the tank.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and beachwear. Food and drinks are not included, so plan those separately around the three-hour activity.

The briefing makes first-time scuba feel manageable

Before entering the aquarium, you receive a safety briefing and an introduction to the equipment. The aim is not to turn you into a certified scuba user in one morning. Instead, you learn enough to take part safely under close supervision.

You will be shown how to use the gear and how to move underwater. The natural pool session lets you try those instructions in real water. That practical step is more useful than a long explanation alone, especially if this is your first time.

Abílio Sousa receives especially strong praise for his calm, friendly teaching. He has guided families, nervous beginners, children, and people who already have underwater experience. His style combines clear explanations with humor, which helps keep the mood relaxed without making the safety part feel casual.

That balance is important. You want an instructor who can make you feel at ease but still pays attention to your comfort and surroundings. The small group size helps here. With no more than four people, the instructor can keep checking on each participant and adjust the pace when needed.

If you have previous experience, you may spend less time in the practice pool. If you are new to scuba, you should expect this warm-up to be a meaningful part of the activity, not wasted time. It is where you build the confidence needed for the aquarium session.

The aquarium tour adds context before the water

The guided tour of Madeira Aquarium comes before or alongside the practical part of the activity. You learn about the species kept there, including fish, crustaceans, sharks, rays, and mantas.

This tour helps you recognize what you will see later. Instead of simply entering a tank and looking around, you get some context about the animals and their care. You also learn about the local marine life found around Madeira.

The aquarium itself is not enormous. That is worth knowing before you book. One participant described the main tank as a little small, but still felt the close encounter made the experience worthwhile. The limited size has two sides: you will not get the wide feeling of open sea, but you may get a much better look at the animals.

For families, the guided explanation can make the visit more engaging. A child who knows the names of the fish and understands how the tank works has more to notice during the underwater session. It also gives nonparticipants something worthwhile to do while waiting.

A boyfriend, parent, or other companion can watch from the viewing area during the main tank portion. The activity is therefore not limited to the person in the water, though the included scuba experience is for the booked participants.

The technical zone shows how an aquarium works

The visit behind the scenes is one of the more unusual parts of the program. You enter the technical zone and receive an explanation of how the aquarium’s water is filtered and maintained.

This changes the feel of the outing. You are not only looking at animals through glass. You are also seeing the systems that support them. Aquariums depend on careful water management, and the technical tour gives you a clearer idea of the work involved in keeping marine species healthy.

For me, this is a good reason to choose this activity over a basic aquarium admission. The technical visit adds information that you would not normally get from the public displays. It also helps explain why the aquarium can house animals that are difficult to spot during an ordinary swim in the sea.

The behind-the-scenes portion is still a guided visit, not a chance to handle equipment or animals freely. The main hands-on moment comes later, under the instructor’s direction.

Meeting sharks and rays in the main tank

After the briefing and pool practice, you enter the aquarium’s main tank with your instructor. This is the highlight: a controlled underwater encounter with sharks, rays, mantas, and other fish.

You should not expect a long independent swim. The instructor remains with you throughout the session, helping with your equipment and keeping the experience safe and comfortable. That close supervision is especially useful if you have never used scuba gear before.

The animals are the reason this works so well for beginners. In the open sea, sharks and rays can be hard to find, and conditions can change quickly. In the aquarium, you have a better chance to observe them at close range in a controlled setting.

Some participants have been able to touch fish during the session, but that should not be treated as a promise. Animal contact depends on the situation and the instructor’s direction. The main value is observing the creatures at close quarters, not petting them.

The tank’s size is the main limitation. You are not covering a reef or traveling through a large underwater area. Instead, you are getting a focused encounter in a contained space. If you want a first taste of scuba or a rare look at marine species, that trade-off makes sense. If you already have extensive scuba experience and want a full open-water outing, this may feel too short and structured.

You may also be able to take photos or videos from the viewing area. One parent stayed nearby while her son entered the water and captured the moment from outside the tank. Check the staff’s instructions before using a camera, and do not let photography distract from the safety briefing.

Why the three-hour format works

Three hours gives the experience enough time to feel like more than a quick stunt. The schedule includes the aquarium tour, the technical zone, the safety briefing, practice in the natural pool, and the main tank session.

The exact order can vary, especially for participants who already have experience. Some people may go to the main tank sooner, while beginners may need more time in the ocean pool.

The small group is a major advantage during those three hours. A group of four allows the instructor to answer questions and notice when someone is uncomfortable. It also reduces the feeling of being processed through a large commercial activity.

Allow extra energy for changing, handling equipment, and listening carefully. You should not book this as a rushed stop between other commitments. The activity starts and ends at Aquário da Madeira, and you need to be ready for water-based practice.

The language choices are Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French. English-speaking participants have found the instructions clear, and Abílio is particularly praised for his English. Still, tell the instructor at the start if you need a point repeated. Good communication matters more here than speed.

Is $159 a fair price?

At $159 per person, this is a premium activity. You are paying more than you would for standard aquarium entry or a basic visit to the natural pools.

The value comes from the number of separate elements included:

• A guided aquarium tour
• A visit and briefing in the technical zone
• Scuba equipment
• Instruction before entering the water
• Practice in a natural ocean pool
• A supervised session in the main tank
• A small group of no more than four

If you priced these as separate activities, the total would likely be higher, but the strongest value is the personal instruction. A first underwater experience can become stressful if the guide is rushed or the group is large. Here, the instructor’s time is part of what you are buying.

It is also a memorable option for a birthday or family occasion. A 10-year-old participant completed the activity with careful support, and an 11-year-old who arrived anxious gained enough confidence to take part. That does not mean every child will be ready, but it shows how useful the gradual teaching can be.

The cost is harder to justify if you only want to see the aquarium. It is also less suited to experienced scuba users seeking distance, depth, or open-water conditions. For a carefully supervised first session with unusual animals, though, the package offers solid value.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to adults and children aged 10 or older who want to try scuba without committing to a certification course. It is especially suitable if you feel nervous, since the pool practice and small group allow time to settle in.

Families can work well here, provided a guardian accompanies anyone under 18. The activity also suits couples, birthday groups, and people who want something different from Madeira’s usual viewpoints, walks, and boat trips.

You should think twice if you have a cold, are pregnant, or have a medical restriction that prevents participation in scuba-related sports. Do not plan to fly on the day of the activity because of the safety concerns connected with scuba.

You also need to be comfortable with a controlled aquarium setting. The tank is not the open Atlantic, and the session follows the instructor’s direction. That is exactly why it works for beginners, but it may feel limited if you already spend time scuba diving at sea.

My practical verdict

Book this if you want a close look at sharks, rays, and mantas with patient instruction and a small group. The natural pool practice is a smart feature, and the technical tour gives the activity more substance than a simple animal encounter.

The strongest reason to choose it is the teaching. Abílio Sousa is repeatedly praised for calm guidance, humor, clear English, and careful attention to nervous participants. Those qualities matter when you are learning to breathe underwater for the first time.

Skip it if you want a long open-water session, a large aquarium, or a fully independent scuba outing. For everyone else, especially first-timers and families with older children, this is one of Madeira’s more memorable ways to meet its marine life.

FAQ

Where does the activity begin?

It begins at Aquário da Madeira in Porto Moniz. Show your voucher to the aquarium staff at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts three hours, including the guided aquarium tour, technical zone visit, briefing, natural pool practice, and main tank session.

What animals can I see?

You can see sharks, rays, mantas, fish, and crustaceans in and around the aquarium displays and main tank.

Do I need scuba certification?

No certification is stated as necessary. The experience includes an introduction to scuba, a safety briefing, equipment, and supervised practice before the main tank session.

Is equipment provided?

Yes. The equipment needed for the underwater session is included.

How many people are in each group?

The group is limited to four participants.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and beachwear. Food and drinks are not included.

Can children take part?

Participants must be at least 10 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.

Can I take part if I am pregnant or have a cold?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with a cold. It is also not offered to people with medical restrictions related to sports such as scuba.

Can I fly on the day of the activity?

No. For safety reasons, you should not travel by plane on the day of the underwater session.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.