Madeira Dives

Madeira & Porto Santo

The 10 best dive sites in Madeira

Every site below has been picked for visiting divers — easy to reach, run by established schools, and consistently delivering top-tier Atlantic diving.

  1. Garajau Marine Reserve — Madeira dive site#1
    Marine ReserveBeginner

    Garajau Marine Reserve

    Caniço de Baixo, South Coast

    Madeira's flagship dive — meet the resident giant dusky groupers in a fully protected reserve.

    4.9(1,248)
    8–25 mVis. 20–30 m
  2. Madeirense Shipwreck — Madeira dive site#2
    WreckAdvanced

    Madeirense Shipwreck

    Porto Santo, Northeast

    A 70 m cargo ship sunk in 2000, now a thriving artificial reef off Porto Santo.

    4.8(612)
    20–32 mVis. 25–40 m
  3. Ponta de São Lourenço — Madeira dive site#3
    Drift / WallIntermediate

    Ponta de São Lourenço

    Eastern Tip of Madeira

    Dramatic underwater cliffs and pelagic action at Madeira's wild eastern tip.

    4.7(421)
    10–30 mVis. 15–25 m
  4. Cabo Girão Underwater Cliffs — Madeira dive site#4
    WallIntermediate

    Cabo Girão Underwater Cliffs

    Câmara de Lobos, South Coast

    Dive beneath Europe's highest sea cliff into a labyrinth of arches and caverns.

    4.6(287)
    12–35 mVis. 15–25 m
  5. Ilhéu do Desembarcadouro — Madeira dive site#5
    ReefBeginner

    Ilhéu do Desembarcadouro

    Off Funchal

    Shallow, sheltered reef perfect for try-dives and first ocean dives near Funchal.

    4.5(198)
    6–18 mVis. 15–20 m
  6. Ilhas Desertas — Madeira dive site#6
    Pelagic / ReserveAdvanced

    Ilhas Desertas

    25 km SE of Madeira

    Remote nature reserve with pristine reefs, monk seals and pelagic giants.

    4.9(156)
    10–40 mVis. 30–40 m
  7. Porto Moniz Lava Reefs — Madeira dive site#7
    Volcanic ReefIntermediate

    Porto Moniz Lava Reefs

    Northwest Coast

    Rugged volcanic seascape on Madeira's wild northwest coast.

    4.4(132)
    5–20 mVis. 10–20 m
  8. Ribeira Brava Reef — Madeira dive site#8
    ReefBeginner

    Ribeira Brava Reef

    South-West Coast

    Easy boat dive with bountiful fish life and friendly cuttlefish.

    4.5(174)
    8–22 mVis. 15–25 m
  9. Corveta General Pereira — Madeira dive site#9
    WreckAdvanced

    Corveta General Pereira

    Porto Santo

    A former Portuguese Navy corvette sunk in 2016 — Madeira's newest wreck.

    4.8(224)
    25–40 mVis. 25–40 m
  10. Baixa do Cais — Madeira dive site#10
    PinnacleIntermediate

    Baixa do Cais

    Funchal Bay

    An underwater pinnacle teeming with schooling fish, right in Funchal bay.

    4.3(142)
    10–24 mVis. 12–20 m