Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Portugal

Agua de Pau

Is front to Portinho of Arrábida Beach Pedra Anixa is also known as Portinho Arrábida.

Diving in the inner bay (see Google Earth) to SE there´s a underwater cave beginning at -10m (depends on the tide) that crosses the Ponta da Fisga to the open sea, ending at -13m. From shore, swimming from Praia da Ingrina to the left (SE) near the rocks. It´s aprox. 400 m so, if you have a boat, it´s easier. Ponta da Fisga is also known as Ingrina.

nice coral reef, easy to dive Pedra da Gaivota is also known as Seagull Rock.

The history of this wreck is unknown. We know that she is quite old, built of wood, but what kind of ship, where she came from and her destination is still a mystery. "Navio do Norte" is the name given by local fishermen to this wreck, located north of Angeiras village. It means "northern ship". From this vessel rests her cargo, or part of it, composed of iron cannons, bullets, wheels and other iron debris. It's still possible to see some pieces of wood that belongs to the main structure of the ship that have remained well preserved under the sand. This wreck rests in open sea, on a sandy bottom at 34m. Marine life on this site is amazing, with lots of small fish, lobsters, conger eels and amazing octopuses. There are lost lines and fishing nets on the wreck. We believe that this wreck is part of the steam-boat Tiber, owned by British company P&O Line. Tiber was an iron paddle steamer of 763 tons. This vessel was laid down on August 8th, 1846, and arrived in Southampton on October 26th from builders, Caird & Co in Greenock. She was originally to have been named "Ceylon", and ran P&O's Peninsular, Italian and Black Sea routes. Tiber was 56.29m long, 8.15m broad and 5.26m deep. She had 280hp engines, a speed of 9 knots and a bunker capacity of 225 tons. This steamer cost £28.600 and was insured for £20.000. On 21st February 1847, early in the afternoon, Tiber sank out of Vila Cha when she was homeward bound from Gibraltar. Her captain was Mr Bingham. The cause of her sinking is still inconclusive. In Portugal we found documents that say that this ship sank due to a severe sea storm and despites the efforts of local fishermen to help with the rescue of both passengers and crew, around 30 people died in this tragedy. In other researche, we found out that the ship was sailing in dense fog, hit a rock and sank in deep water within minutes with no casualties to report. Her cargo and mail sank with the ship and were lost. Among the cargo was a load of gold coins destined for the royal treasury. Source: www.submania.pt (Reproduced with permission of the author)

This is a rock dive. "Prego" is one of many underwater rocks located out of Lavra village. With a maximum depth of 21m and a lower of 12m, this rock was baptized as "Prego" because of a crack that looks like a nail. "Prego" is the Portuguese word for nail. It's a nice dive where the diver can enjoy the anemone carpets, huge mussels the size of ones hand, sea bass and sea bream. This site is also dived for spear fishing as the crack is a good hide for adult sea bass and sea bream. There is a crucifix on the bottom of this rock in memory of a diver who lost his life while free diving. Any diver can enjoy this excellent dive. Source: www.submania.pt (Reproduced with permission of the author) One of many underwater rocks located out of Lavra village.

"Charneca" was a tugboat owned by Lisnave. She was sailing from Lisbon to give assistance to a cargo ship, but did not make it and decided to try to find harbour in Leixões where she arrived with many technical problems in the middle of a large and violent sea storm. The tug was throwing against the harbour water break by the strength of the waves, where her hull was holed and she sank on February 16th, 1986. Only one member of her crew survived. They were 4. The wreck lays in 14m of water on a sandy bottom. She is straight, pointing south, with her wheel house completely broken, reminding us of the fury of the sea that day. Her portside is slightly silted and in her midships, on her starboard side, divers can find the hole in the hull caused by the impact against the water break. There are many lines and cables loose inside the wreck, so care must be observed on entering. Outside the wreck, it's usual to see the existence of fishing lines and nets, which are a danger to divers due to bad visibility on the site. Due to her location, divers must also be aware of maritime traffic. Source: www.submania.pt (Reproduced with permission of the author) Just at the end of Quebra Mar (The wreck is S of the submerged breakwater reef).

Nice and easy dive site Easy to get to with GPS and boat Pedra do Alto is also known as Pedra da Oura.

The wreck is located on the east coast of the island; in front of the harbour´s entry.

Sesimbra is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Costa de Lisboa, Setubal which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Sa Roque

Cave on the north at about 12m deep. Vila do Porto

Ponta Garça

Ilheu Oeste is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Azores, Sao Miguel which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Ilheu Leste is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Azores, Sao Miguel which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Agua de Pau

Agua de Pau

Baixa das Castanhetas is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Azores, Sao Miguel which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Albufeira

Albufeira

Rocks and sandy areas. Big black stingrays. Sometimes electric rays. From the boat if you like to dive out of the bay at the rocks. But one can also enter the water at the jetty of the marina as far as I remember.

cuttlefish, seaspiders scorpionfish, stingrays, nice landscape. By car from Canico de Baixo Reis Magos is also known as Madeira - Reis Magos.

Big black stingrays and electric rays on the sandy area at 35m. Also Barracudas, Groupers and Murray Eels. by boat from canico de baixo Kloster-Riff is also known as Madeira - Monk Reef.

Sesimbra

Nothing special but a nice relaxing divesite especially for nightdiving. Electric rays, scorpionfish, octopus, groupers. lots of sea urchins. One can enter at the jetty of Hotel Roca Mar.

T-Reef is a divespot with 2 huge pyramide shaped rocks in viewing distance from eachother. Guess why it's called T-Reef. ;-) You'll see murray eels, barracudas, sometimes groupers but best of all: schools of grey trigger fish. Hundreds of them swimming in open water. Pretty cool sight. But take care - they bite !!! From Canico de Baixo by boat T-Reef is also known as Titt Reef.

Nice rocky place with several BIG groupers! They are used to divers and come very very close. It's really hard to resist petting them. By boat from Canico de Baixo

Big black Stingrays, Octopus, scorpion fish, big Tonna snails. Cool site for nightdives. Porto Novo is also known as Madeira - Porto Novo.

Caniço. Lava Finger - Galomar is also known as Bird Foot, Galomar.

Cabo Espichel River Gurara is also known as River Gurare.

Porto da Caloura is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Azores, Sao Miguel which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

This is the wreck of the Leven, a 2381 ton steamer constructed in 1889 and sunk in 1905 and dismantled with explosives in this area. It was owned by Ropner & Company. Exposition to the northern waves make it difficult to find good conditions (only if wave height is under 2m and from the SW quadrant). Visibility may range from under 5m to 10m. The wreck is oriented from West to East. The anchor is 3m long but may be difficult to find as it lies on the sand 10m north from the main wreck. Although the wreck itself is worth the dive, it's mainly a muck dive with loads of macro life available to see, namely several dozens of nudibranch species but also octopuses and cuttlefish. A marker buoy is essential and mandatory by Portuguese law. No dive centers operate here so divers must carry their own gear. However there are dive centers in Peniche which rent equipment. 3km north from the town of Peniche, use the road accross the beach to get to the peninsula of Baleal and drive to the northern limit. Park near the chapel. Access is made through the small beach to the south (called "Praia dos Barcos", literally "Boat Beach") and then swimming 100m to North. Leven is also known as Baleal (Norte).

This dive site is in marine protect zone, create to protect the Dusky Groper (Epinephelus marginatus). They are friendly and they follow divers during dive. Other fish: Barracuda, Northern bluefin tuna, Vadigo Ponta negra just behind the airport. Access by boat.

Vilarinho da Furna, was a place in the parish of Field Park, located in the municipality of Braga, Braga district. Today is submerged in the reservoir dam Vilarinho. The construction of the dam forced to displace, in 1971, the inhabitants of the village of Vilarinho Community Furna .. Can be seen the houses without roofs, doors, windows, through the streets, paths and walls of the old village and the fields. The state of preservation is impressive. PT Vilarinho da Furna era um lugar da freguesia de Campo do Gerês, situada no concelho de Terras de Bouro, distrito de Braga. Actualmente está submerso na albufeira da Barragem Vilarinho da Furna. A construção da barragem obrigou a desalojar, em 1971, os habitantes da aldeia comunitária de Vilarinho da Furna.. Podem ver-se ainda as casas, sem telhados, portas, janelas, percorrer as ruas, os caminhos e os muros da antiga aldeia e os campos de cultivo. O estado de preservação é impressionante. From Campo Gerês drive towards Barragem de Vilarinho, folow a trail near the water, about 2,5 Kms to a fluvial beach nearby the ruins of Vilarinho da Furna Vilarinho da furna is also known as Aldeia de Vilarinho da furna.

Sao Martino

By road next to Hotel do Caracol / Divecenter Anfibius Silveira is also known as Hotel do Caracol.

Very near from Angra do Heroismo, aprox 10km.

Fradinhos is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Azores, Terceira which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Pedra do Meio is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Costa de Lisboa, Setubal which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Baía da Cal is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Azores, Pico Faial Sao Jorge which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Amorosa is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Costa Verde which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Marinha Beach is also known as Marinha Beach.

Praia da Victória is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Azores, Terceira which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Arena is also known as Boca da Caldeirinha.

Carlton Hotel is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Madeira, Madeira which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Berlengas is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Costa de Lisboa, Peniche which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Vapor Lidador is also known as Lidador.

Ilhéu do Topo is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Azores, Pico Faial Sao Jorge which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Roteiro Arqueológico is also known as Archeological Site Faro - A.

Cemitério das Ancoras is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Azores, Terceira which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Burgau is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Lagos which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

36 metres sunk by a german u35 in ww1 Wilhelm Kraag Wreck is also known as Vapor 19.

Pedra Nova is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Four engines american bomber from second world war - 1943 B24 Liberator PB4Y is also known as Bombardeiro B24.

Artificial reef of a steel fishing trawler. 45m long, sunk by Portuguese Fisheries Institute (IPIMAR) in 1995 IPIMAR wreck is also known as Navio do IPIMAR.

Módulos de Protecção is also known as Artificial Reef - Protection.

Módulos de Exploração is also known as Artificial Reef - Exploration.

Mar de Pedra is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Ilheu das Cabras

Biscoitos

Monte Brasil

Baixa da Serreta is also known as Baixo da Serreta.

Ilheus das Cabras

Cabeço do Levante is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Natural reef Pé de Terra is also known as Pedra da Greta.

Pedra do Anzol is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Almas is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Natural Reef

Berlengas - Cova do Sono is also known as Berlengas - Cabeça de Elefante.

Barrocas de Fora is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

From Burgau beach (West), swim south aprox. 200 m. Batelão do Burgau is also known as Batelão.

Cabeço dos Robalos is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

One of the biggest community of Sea Horses on the world.

Pedra Rica is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Barrocas de Terra is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Molhe do Farol is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Rebocador do Farol is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Caldeira do Farol is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Armação Nova is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Barra Velha is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Zimbral is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Pedra do Guincho is also known as Pedra do Leão.

Rodão das Moreias is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Pedra da Pirâmide is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Rodão dos Mulatos is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Faro which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

You dive in a sandy bottom @ 16 m full of huge sea urchins! Search for southwest and you will find the wall. Look for the morays in the holes as you dive along the wall. With luck you will see a large number of big baracudas near the bottom. Only by Boat. A short drive from the harbour.

An interesting night dive, with lots of fish. From the south (outer) peer of the harbour, by foot.

Only by boat. A short trip for the harbour.

The Pronto is a small wreck, sunk in 1923 she lies upright, thouh somewhat broken as cruise liners visiting Madeira sometimes drop anchor on or in or near by...An interesting deep dive, many fish, moray, grouper etc By boat, from Madeira Divepoint Carlton Madeira hotel Pronto is also known as Funchal Harbour area.

Cargo ship sunk in the 60's Caparica Almada Portugal Naufragio Scott is also known as Skoth.

Wreck of the infamous Bowbell (ex Thames river dredger) in collision with The Marchioness 15th August, 1989. Lying upright at 29 metres, with access to the wheel house and some machinery Madeira divepoint at the Carlton Madeira hotel..25 mins east on their boat The Bowbell lies at 29 metres. as the dredger sank in the working area, diving on her is limited to Saturdays when the other dredgers are not working The Bowbell is also known as Archo do Cholleto, Wreck of Madeira.

An amazing underwater garden on a natural reef 5 mile long. One of the top dive places in Portugal. Baixas de Armação is also known as Baixas de Armacao Pera.

Valados is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Portugal, Algarve, Albufeira which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Baixa das Bicudas is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Madeira, Porto Santo which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Wreck of the Océan, sunk in 1759 by its crew after being surrounded by a British fleet. Some canons and anchors can be seen. There are identification plates on the bottom to help divers. Use one of the dive centers in Portimão. Océan is also known as Ocean.

Baixa do Chinês is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Madeira, Porto Santo which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Pedrinha is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Azores, Santa Maria which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Baixa do Ilheu do Frade is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Azores, Santa Maria which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Baixa do Ambrósio is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Azores, Santa Maria which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Use one of the dive centers in Sesimbra. Baleeira Fora is also known as Baleeira (Fora).