SCUBA DIVING IN PORTUGAL: Europe’s most diver friendly nation. Divers’ Reviews

In terms of underwater life, it´s the most diver-friendly country in Europe. Together with its nine volcanic islands, the Azores, spread in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is considered one of the best scuba diving area in the Atlantic.
Another great location for dives is go diving in Azores (Portuguese territory)

CLIMATE

During the summer, temperatures range from 71.6°F to 80°F (22°C to 27°C) and the water temperature is 62°F (17 °C) in winter and 69°F (21°C ) during the summer.  Dives in Portugal can be done year-round and one of the best areas to dive, with the most dive sites, is the Algarve. Lisbon and central Portugal have many dive sites too.

ALGARVE, WRECKS & BEAUTIFUL BEACHES

The Algarve region is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal for underwater activity, with stunning beaches and rock formations. Faro has the most dive sites and is the most of important city of the region. A highlight dive site is the wreck of the B-52 Liberator, the American bombardier that fell and sank in 1943. You will see plenty of marine life in this now artificial reef.

Barrocas de Fora is a colorful dive site where you will see octopi and groupers, large hogfish too. The city of Albufeira, Portugal´s number one tourist destination, has decent dive sites too; Pedra do Alto it´s probably the best dive site there, it has 3 main bog rocks and a lot of small walls and holes. It’s a great dive spot to see giant nudibranchs.

The wreck of the Wilhelm Kraag is an excellent dive site, also known as the Vapor 19, a big Norwegian steam boat sunk by a German U-35 in WWI.

One of the most popular activities in Algarve is playing golf. It has world-class courses and many international tournaments. Vilamoura offers great surfing conditions and also recommended is a visit to Cape St. Vincent, an important shipping landmark.

LISBON, HAVE NICE DIVES JUST 30 MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN

The coast of Lisbon offers drift dives, reef dives, deep dives and wreck dives. And all the dive sites are about a half hour from downtown. To the north-east is Fonte da Telha, deep rocky reefs where you can expect conger eel, pollock, cuttlefish, schools of Spanish bream and even sunfish in the summer. Further south in Sesimbra, an old fishing village, the sheltered bay is perfect for macro photography. Also nudibranchs abound here.

To the east, the Luis Saldanha Marine Reserve in the Arrábida region, the water is colder so you can find species from the northern regions like cod.  The reef in Estelas is the richest for sea bream.

The reef of Broeiro, in Natural Reserve of Berlangas is full of life, amber jacks and bonitos can be spotted in the summer, a lot of conger eel and shoals of sea bass, and mero. You can find over 20 different dive sites in between the areas of Setubal and Peniche.

PORTO NORTE, FAMOUS FOR WRECKS

The U-1277 submarine is one of the most popular wrecks in Europe. It´s a German submarine that sank in 1947 and its torpedo launch tubes and conning tower are still visible. It´s covered with anemones and the biggest conger eels make this wreck their home. The Navio do Norte wreck, located north of Angeiras, is another excellent dive site.  It is believed that it was part of the steam boat Tiber, a British paddle steamer that went down in 1847.

In Porto Santo lays the Madeirense wreck, the first ship purposely sunk in Portugal. During the winter and spring, it is common to spot sperm whales and common whales. Around Porto Santo, there are over 20 dive sites to suit your needs.

There are many things to do in Porto Norte. At the house of Sandeman you may try the different port wines. Sightseeing in Porto is unique with monuments such as the San Benito Railway Station, home of the Convent of San Bento de Ave María, where a beautiful hall holds twenty thousand tiles illustrating historical events.

DIVE CENTERS IN PORTUGAL

Dive Spot / Divers Cape / Haliotis Peniche / Haliotis Sesimbra / Open Waters / Sub Nauta /