MADEIRA SCUBA DIVING AND SNORKELING

The 15 Best Diving and Snorkelling Trips in Madeira

15 tours  ·  from $17

Garajau is a marine reserve where the grouper have not been fished for thirty years and come straight at you. These 15 compare shore against boat, try-dives against certified dives, with prices and what kit is included.

Madeira: Garajau Nature Reserve Kayak and Snorkel Tour - Meeting at the Cristiano Ronaldo Statue
Canoes & Kayaks, Madeira Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours

Madeira: Garajau Nature Reserve Kayak and Snorkel Tour

1.Garajau Nature Reserve Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 906 reviews · 3 hours · from $41Our pick

Meet your guide at Funchal’s Cristiano Ronaldo Statue, learn the basics, then paddle about 40 minutes toward Lazareto and Garajau Nature Reserve. You’ll stop at a pebble beach for swimming and snorkeling. Guides such as Marco, Hugo, Luis, and Flora are praised for clear safety advice and friendly help.

“The guide was very talkative and sociable. He knew a lot of fun facts about the different types of fish and overall it was a nice experience!!”

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Funchal: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners - How safe and supportive is the instruction?
Madeira Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Tour Reviews

Funchal: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

2.Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 715 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $53

Start at Madeira Divepoint inside the Pestana Carlton, learn basic scuba skills with a PADI instructor, practice in a pool, then choose an ocean session at the center’s private reef. Small groups, multilingual guides, and close support suit nervous beginners. Pool-only and ocean options have different age limits.

“Brilliant kayak and snorkelling tour, equipment was really great quality and guide was fantastic. He made sure everyone was safe and explained everything really well which made it a great experience. The boats are equipped with their own mini bar which has water and red bull for the trip along with a water proof bag for other snacks, camera etc. You can leave anything else you have at the meeting point to be looked after, take some old shoes or water shoes for in the kayak and getting onto shore. Great snorkelling experience around the rocks with lots of fish on a good day. Highly recommended!”

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Scuba Diving Experience in Madeira - What instructors add to the experience
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Scuba Diving Experience in Madeira

3.Scuba Diving Experience in Madeira

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 266 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50Top rated

At Azul Diving Center in Funchal, you learn basic scuba skills in the classroom and pool before entering the sea with an instructor. Your 45 to 50-minute sea session reaches up to 12 metres. The group has no more than four people, and guides such as Rafa, Esme, and Guadalupe provide close support.

“It was unpleasant for us. We're beginners and would've appreciated being alone with the instructor, not in a group.”

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Diving in the Madeira Aquarium - The meeting point and the Porto Moniz setting
Aquariums, Madeira Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Tour Reviews

Diving in the Madeira Aquarium

4.Diving in the Madeira Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 215 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $163

At Madeira Aquarium in Porto Moniz, you learn basic scuba skills, enter the Cachalote natural pools, then spend time in the 6-meter main tank with sharks, rays, morays, and other local species. Instructors Abílio, Manuel, and Michael provide the equipment and close support. No prior experience is required.

“Meine allererste Taucherfahrung, hat mich zwischendurch einiges an Überwindung gekostet, aber unser Tauchlehrer war einfach super und der Tag einer meiner Urlaubhighlights- kann es jedem nur empfehlen- ein einmaliges Erlebnis!”

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Porto Moniz: Diving with Sharks and Rays in Madeira Aquarium - Starting with the aquarium and its sea life
Aquariums, Madeira Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Porto Moniz Natural Pools Tours, Scuba Diving, Tour Reviews

Porto Moniz: Diving with Sharks and Rays in Madeira Aquarium

5.Diving with Sharks and Rays in Madeira Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 192 reviews · 3 hours · from $159

At Aquário da Madeira in Porto Moniz, you learn scuba skills with instructor Abílio, practice in a natural ocean pool, then enter the main tank beside sharks, rays, and mantas. A guided aquarium and technical-zone tour is included. Groups are limited to four.

“Abilio Sousa was outstanding!He’s playfully genuine, extremely knowledgeable and highly trustworthy in his scuba diving craft. His knowledge about Madeira, the aquatic plants and animals is top notch and rich with history. He provided a lively, focused and exceptionally rewarding first ever scuba diving experience for my family (myself, daughter and grandma) to enjoy and remember. Abilio went above and beyond to ensure our experience felt safe, comfortable and fun. We highly recommend him to any individual or family (even if you’re a bit frightened) !!!”

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Kayak and Snorkeling Tour in Underwater Nature Reserve Garajau - The guides shape the experience
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Kayak and Snorkeling Tour in Underwater Nature Reserve Garajau

6.Kayak and Snorkeling Tour in Underwater Nature Reserve Garajau

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 111 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59

Paddle from Caniço into Garajau’s underwater reserve, then snorkel in a rocky Atlantic cove with guides such as Pedro, Hugo, Luis, or Antonio. Equipment and life jackets are included, but sea conditions can change the route and the tour may be unsuitable if you cannot swim.

“Great experience with Madeira nature on and under water. Good explanation of what you can see. Good guiding”

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Caniço, Madeira: Marine Reserve Kayak & Snorkelling Tour - What the two-hour outing actually feels like
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Caniço, Madeira: Marine Reserve Kayak & Snorkelling Tour

7.Caniço, Madeira: Marine Reserve Kayak & Snorkelling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 104 reviews · 2 hours · from $57

Paddle along Caniço’s rugged coast with a Portuguese or English-speaking guide, then snorkel from the protected Garajau Marine Reserve shore. The two-hour outing costs $57, accepts up to 10 people, and may feature guides such as Ben, Marcos, or Pedro, depending on the day.

“First we wanted to book the trip at 13:00, but we’re advised by the company to be there at 9:00, which was way better since later on the weather would be too hot. Our guide was quite nice, friendly and patient. We got lucky because it was a small group of 8 including the guide and therefore he could pay more attention to each of us. Kayaking is such a nice sporty experience! The highlight of the trip was when we got to swim basically surrounded by fish all around! We loved it.”

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Coasteering in Madeira, Madeira Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Madeira: Coasteering Adventure with Snorkeling, w/pick-up

8.Coasteering Adventure with Snorkeling, w/pick-up

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews · 5 hours · from $72

Join Marcos, Charlie, Rafa, or Matilde for a five-hour coasteering trip at Ponta de São Lourenço. Swim, scramble, snorkel, explore sea caves, and choose cliff jumps from gentle options up to 13 meters, with gear, pickup, and photos included.

“It Coasteering was absolutely amazing, such a cool and unforgettable experience! The guides were fantastic, making us feel safe and ensuring we had so nuch fun. It was definitely the highlight of our trip, and we would recommend it to anyone looking for adventure.”

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Private Tour: Guided Tuk Tuk Tour of Garajau and Cristo Rei - Pináculo Viewpoint and the Bay Below
Christ the King Statue Tours, Funchal Tuk Tuk Tours, Guided, Madeira Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tuk-Tuks

Private Tour: Guided Tuk Tuk Tour of Garajau and Cristo Rei

9.Private Tour: Guided Tuk Tuk Tour of Garajau and Cristo Rei

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 76 reviews · 2 hours · from $47

Ride through Funchal’s Old Town and hillside streets in a private tuk tuk with a local guide. Stop at Pináculo and Cristo Rei for wide views of the bay, Atlantic, and Garajau Nature Reserve. English and Portuguese tours last two hours and include pickup in Funchal.

“Loved the whole experience with our guide Virgillio. Spending our 1st morning riding around Funchal was fun and learnt so much from our guide. We also went on your do many of his suggestions- coffee and custard tarts from nata7, scabbard fish sandwich traditional and of course the poncha! thank you”

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Funchal: Snorkeling Adventure in Eco-Park / Shore or by Boat - Choosing the house reef or the boat trip
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Funchal: Snorkeling Adventure in Eco-Park / Shore or by Boat

10.Snorkeling Adventure in Eco-Park / Shore or by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 71 reviews · from $17Best value

Meet at Madeira Divepoint inside the Pestana Carlton for a safety briefing, gear fitting, and a short snorkeling lesson. Choose the hotel’s house reef from shore or a guided boat outing in a protected marine reserve. Expect changing rooms, showers, and time to spot pufferfish, parrotfish, wrasses, and trumpet fish.

“This was my first time snorkeling. I felt very safe and loved it”

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Funchal: Kayak & Snorkeling in Garajau Nature Reserve - A 25-minute paddle along Madeira’s coast
Canoes & Kayaks, Madeira Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, National Parks, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Funchal: Kayak & Snorkeling in Garajau Nature Reserve

11.Kayak & Snorkeling in Garajau Nature Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 68 reviews · from $34

Meet by the Cristiano Ronaldo statue for a 2.5-hour small-group kayak and snorkeling trip. Your English- or Spanish-speaking guides provide kayaks, masks, life jackets, and safety help as you paddle toward Ponta do Lazareto, where clear water and colorful fish await.

“Great experience and our guide knew a lot about nature and Funchal. We had fun jumping from the cliff. All in all great trip.”

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Snorkelling Trip at Ponta de São Lourenço Protected Area - What you might see beneath the cliffs
Madeira Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, National Parks, Ponta de Sao Lourenco Hikes, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Snorkelling Trip at Ponta de São Lourenço Protected Area

12.Snorkelling Trip at Ponta de São Lourenço Protected Area

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 68 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Set out from Quinta do Lorde Marina near Caniçal for a 2.5-hour snorkelling trip in the protected Ponta de São Lourenço area. A guide provides the equipment, safety briefing, and local nature notes before you swim among fish, crabs, and perhaps an octopus.

“The staff were great. We arrived at the diving centre, received our flippers (snorkel & mask were on the boat), we were then driven to the marina & it took about a 15mins boat ride to get to our location - saw hundreds of fishes of different varieties and even an octopus. I’d only snorkelled once before & I wasn’t great at it, but our guide gave me a couple of tips and I did much better. Highly recommended.”

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Coasteering Adventure with Snorkeling from Funchal - Snorkeling in clear Atlantic water
Coasteering in Madeira, Madeira Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Coasteering Adventure with Snorkeling from Funchal

13.Coasteering Adventure with Snorkeling from Funchal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $78

Join Marcos, Charlie, João, or another certified Remote Madeira guide for a four-hour coasteering trip from Funchal. You’ll swim through sea caves, snorkel in clear water, scramble over rocks, and choose from optional cliff jumps. Gear, transport, insurance, photos, and videos are included.

“We had a wonderful adventure experience with the family. Marcus and Joao were super nice provided just the right dose of adrenalin for everyone. They showed us around the impressive cliffs of Madeira and had good humor and a lot of empathy for every member of the group. They had a really good feeling for how much support we needed climbing and jumping of the cliffs an even taught us some flips for those who wanted to learn. We all felt safe at all times, while experiencing just the right amount of thrill. I can recommend this to everyone, who wants to have a memorable and special experience in the…”

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Cristo Rei & Garajau Tuk-Tuk Tour - Starting among the murals of Zona Velha
Christ the King Statue Tours, Funchal Tuk Tuk Tours, Madeira Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tuk-Tuks

Cristo Rei & Garajau Tuk-Tuk Tour

14.Cristo Rei & Garajau Tuk-Tuk Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 11 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $46

Take a private 1.5-hour tuk-tuk ride through Funchal’s old town and out to Garajau. Your guide, possibly Ricky or Alexis, explains local history, stops for views at Pináculo and Neves, and gives you 20 minutes at Cristo Rei. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“Ricky was super flexible with time and place for the pick up. It was very fun to go around the small streets of the old part of the city in a tuk tuk. Also see the Cristo Rei. Under the trip he was very informative about the history of the City. Big recommendation from me.”

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"Self-Guided" E-Bike Road Tour from Funchal to Garajau - Meeting Oscar and choosing the right bike
Cycling Tours, E-Bikes, Guided, Madeira Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

“Self-Guided” E-Bike Road Tour from Funchal to Garajau

15.“Self-Guided” E-Bike Road Tour from Funchal to Garajau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $55

Set out from Funchal on a Radon Solution Hybrid 8.0 CX 500 e-bike, guided by Garmin GPS rather than a cycling group leader. Oscar or another MADCycle instructor adjusts your bike, then you ride quiet roads to Cristo Rei in Garajau and return in about three hours.

“We were met by Oscar who bought a selection of bike sizes to make sure we had the right ones. The bikes were like new and so smooth. The battery was phenomenal getting us easily up the hills despite them being so steep. The helmets were new and clean and the Garmin showed the route clearly. Although we were on roads they were generally quiet and we had no issues with traffic. We had a great morning and can’t rate MAD cycles high enough. If in doubt - book it and enjoy!”

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