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Portugal

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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

Octopus

Octopus

13k Sightings
J
228
F
281
M
314
A
610
M
782
J
1.5k
J
2.6k
A
3.1k
S
1.8k
O
1k
N
543
D
391

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

10k Sightings
J
171
F
189
M
273
A
501
M
570
J
937
J
2k
A
2.4k
S
1.5k
O
856
N
459
D
294

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

7.2k Sightings
J
112
F
140
M
241
A
341
M
384
J
561
J
1.4k
A
1.7k
S
1.1k
O
672
N
327
D
185

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

Wrasse

4.1k Sightings
J
59
F
140
M
120
A
311
M
300
J
413
J
759
A
906
S
498
O
245
N
181
D
131
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle

434 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
17
A
40
M
55
J
27
J
0
A
45
S
156
O
37
N
30
D
25
Reef Manta Ray

Reef Manta Ray

354 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
2
A
0
M
2
J
21
J
84
A
104
S
97
O
36
N
3
D
3
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

335 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
7
M
0
J
26
J
69
A
93
S
112
O
28
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets

8.9k Sightings
J
158
F
192
M
291
A
483
M
560
J
812
J
1.7k
A
2k
S
1.2k
O
817
N
394
D
255

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

5.8k Sightings
J
88
F
82
M
147
A
261
M
398
J
588
J
1.3k
A
1.4k
S
795
O
410
N
256
D
130

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

Crab

5.7k Sightings
J
101
F
112
M
85
A
277
M
412
J
628
J
1.3k
A
1.5k
S
712
O
328
N
243
D
139

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish

5.5k Sightings
J
84
F
142
M
161
A
360
M
333
J
513
J
952
A
1.2k
S
759
O
480
N
366
D
194

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

4.9k Sightings
J
49
F
45
M
116
A
296
M
315
J
456
J
993
A
1.2k
S
724
O
398
N
218
D
98

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 190

Conger Eel

Conger Eel

4.9k Sightings
J
112
F
106
M
130
A
232
M
361
J
591
J
1.1k
A
1.1k
S
554
O
306
N
186
D
140

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

4.6k Sightings
J
38
F
62
M
70
A
164
M
264
J
414
J
1k
A
1.3k
S
684
O
363
N
153
D
74

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

4.1k Sightings
J
53
F
60
M
71
A
140
M
251
J
418
J
919
A
998
S
599
O
363
N
172
D
92

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

3.9k Sightings
J
36
F
87
M
88
A
198
M
391
J
572
J
864
A
912
S
375
O
176
N
95
D
66

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

Shrimp

3.3k Sightings
J
47
F
48
M
67
A
136
M
186
J
390
J
739
A
917
S
448
O
172
N
122
D
41

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish

2.7k Sightings
J
87
F
105
M
125
A
170
M
185
J
246
J
389
A
555
S
291
O
163
N
180
D
174

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

2.6k Sightings
J
40
F
40
M
63
A
146
M
156
J
274
J
539
A
699
S
383
O
79
N
95
D
40

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

2.1k Sightings
J
47
F
56
M
67
A
125
M
136
J
235
J
382
A
558
S
267
O
130
N
77
D
57

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

1.8k Sightings
J
11
F
16
M
12
A
94
M
74
J
145
J
411
A
467
S
311
O
152
N
64
D
25

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Sand Eel

Sand Eel

1.6k Sightings
J
43
F
39
M
49
A
95
M
110
J
167
J
308
A
312
S
195
O
155
N
108
D
35
Common Seahorse

Common Seahorse

1.6k Sightings
J
11
F
18
M
36
A
74
M
102
J
129
J
228
A
405
S
251
O
164
N
94
D
68

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Mullet

Mullet

1.4k Sightings
J
35
F
37
M
43
A
61
M
105
J
128
J
308
A
423
S
192
O
41
N
42
D
24

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 50

Frogfish

Frogfish

1.4k Sightings
J
26
F
24
M
56
A
88
M
127
J
132
J
178
A
328
S
174
O
116
N
74
D
54

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Squid

Squid

1.2k Sightings
J
45
F
39
M
62
A
75
M
82
J
128
J
214
A
302
S
101
O
85
N
76
D
32

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

1.2k Sightings
J
18
F
25
M
6
A
40
M
52
J
85
J
278
A
341
S
209
O
50
N
40
D
27

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Garfish

Garfish

1.1k Sightings
J
26
F
26
M
38
A
59
M
74
J
117
J
171
A
324
S
142
O
81
N
49
D
29

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Emperor

Emperor

1.1k Sightings
J
29
F
27
M
41
A
63
M
78
J
116
J
186
A
307
S
119
O
85
N
51
D
28

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

Flounder

Flounder

1k Sightings
J
10
F
5
M
4
A
28
M
29
J
112
J
244
A
298
S
159
O
102
N
38
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

927 Sightings
J
10
F
28
M
17
A
43
M
60
J
99
J
222
A
197
S
109
O
60
N
70
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 55

Lobster

Lobster

546 Sightings
J
5
F
5
M
10
A
48
M
27
J
87
J
104
A
105
S
82
O
42
N
17
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Tuna

Tuna

539 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
15
A
18
M
30
J
67
J
150
A
141
S
103
O
11
N
3
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

527 Sightings
J
16
F
1
M
2
A
21
M
12
J
30
J
125
A
164
S
111
O
8
N
30
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 125

Gurnards

Gurnards

402 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
13
A
16
M
15
J
34
J
112
A
139
S
71
O
0
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 9

Fur Seal

Fur Seal

391 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
41
J
72
J
76
A
128
S
55
O
19
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Cornetfish

Cornetfish

364 Sightings
J
18
F
19
M
27
A
15
M
35
J
47
J
40
A
69
S
19
O
28
N
27
D
20

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