Azores
The best diving in the Azores is from late spring through the summer months of April to October when the ocean is warmer, and marine life is at its peak.
Explore Portugal
Diving in Portugal offers a fascinating tapestry of experiences, combining rich marine biodiversity with stunning underwater landscapes. The country's position at the crossroads of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea creates a unique aquatic environment, home to a vibrant array of marine life. Divers in Portugal can expect to encounter colorful nudibranchs, octopuses, and the occasional sighting of majestic manta rays and playful dolphins.
Portugal's dive sites are as diverse as its marine inhabitants, ranging from dramatic underwater cliffs and caves to historic shipwrecks that tell tales of exploration and trade. The Azores, an archipelago of nine volcanic islands, provides some of the best diving in the country with its crystal-clear waters and impressive underwater topography. Here, divers can explore the submerged craters and lava formations that house schools of barracudas and groupers.
The mainland offers a variety of diving experiences, from shore dives along the Algarve's stunning cliffs to thrilling boat dives in the Berlengas Nature Reserve, where marine life flourishes in protected waters. Meanwhile, Madeira's underwater gardens are a haven for macro photographers seeking vibrant nudibranchs and seahorses. Portugal's temperate climate makes it a year-round dive destination, though visibility and marine life encounters can vary with the seasons, adding an element of anticipation and surprise to every dive adventure.
Power Plug Type
C, F
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, Cir, Plus
Tipping
5–10% / Service Staff / Tipping is appreciated in restaurants for good service, though not mandatory as service charges are often included.
Currency
EUR
Dial Code
+351
Electricity
230V / 50Hz
Time
UTC+0, UTC+1
Top Regions to Explore
Upcoming Events
Dive Centers
Dive Sites
Top Wildlife Sightings in Portugal
Portugal's coastal waters, particularly around the Azores and Madeira archipelagos, are rich with diverse marine life, making them ideal for divers. Common reef fish include colorful species such as the ornate wrasse and the Mediterranean parrotfish, which are easily spotted throughout the year. Divers will often encounter schools of barracuda and the ever-present bream, adding to the vibrant underwater landscape.
Seasonal highlights include sightings of various species of sharks, like the blue shark and the shortfin mako, often observed during the summer months. Additionally, the warm waters attract loggerhead and leatherback turtles, particularly around Madeira, with the best chance of encounters in late spring to early autumn. Rays, such as the common stingray, can frequently be seen gliding over the sandy seabeds, especially around the Azores. These seasonal visitors offer thrilling experiences for divers and snorkelers alike, enhancing Portugal's reputation as a top diving destination.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
10k Sightings
J
206
F
256
M
288
A
546
M
606
J
1k
J
1.8k
A
2.6k
S
1.5k
O
860
N
465
D
366
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
6.9k Sightings
J
99
F
133
M
200
A
373
M
392
J
576
J
1.1k
A
1.7k
S
1.1k
O
649
N
346
D
230
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
4.9k Sightings
J
67
F
91
M
189
A
248
M
245
J
336
J
794
A
1.2k
S
816
O
517
N
229
D
147
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
3.2k Sightings
J
45
F
123
M
90
A
272
M
217
J
300
J
580
A
785
S
418
O
195
N
118
D
97
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 250
Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets
6k Sightings
J
94
F
146
M
202
A
350
M
373
J
495
J
1k
A
1.4k
S
856
O
602
N
259
D
180
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 7000
iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab
4.5k Sightings
J
84
F
91
M
73
A
212
M
259
J
410
J
895
A
1.2k
S
591
O
275
N
191
D
141
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 250
iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish
4.3k Sightings
J
73
F
71
M
126
A
198
M
264
J
341
J
814
A
1.1k
S
623
O
346
N
218
D
116
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 190
Alamy-Water Frame
Conger Eel
4.3k Sightings
J
115
F
107
M
127
A
217
M
291
J
478
J
798
A
994
S
530
O
284
N
176
D
141
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 3
Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish
3.8k Sightings
J
47
F
95
M
122
A
251
M
206
J
313
J
622
A
865
S
544
O
336
N
243
D
133
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 40
iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish
3.7k Sightings
J
33
F
51
M
65
A
153
M
210
J
297
J
733
A
1.1k
S
531
O
318
N
131
D
64
