Dive Sites in Portugal - Scuba Diving at its Best!

Diving Overview for Portugal

Portugal, Europe's most western continental point, is renouned for Cape Roca, the beautiful Algarve and the country's love affair with Football.

Diving in Portugal consists of reef and wall dives as well as wrecks and easy cave diving. Most diving in Portugal is done via boat with the ability for shore diving possible in a few areas.

The geographical & historical background of the coast as a navigational corner point in Europe has led to many ships running aground and therefore some fantastic wreck dives! Other locations for diving are the islands of Madeira and the Azores -these beautiful islands have sunny beaches, friendly people and inviting clear waters.

The diving in Portugal can be dependent on the weather and Atlantic swells during the autumn, winter and spring months, however the Algarve provides some shelter to the northerly swells. The main diving area in Portugal is Albfeira in the Algarve.

Wreck diving is a MUST in Portugal -key dive sites include the British steamboat "Tiber", sunk in 1847 off the coast near Porto and the "U 1277", a German VII C Class combat submarine that was sunk in June, 1945.

The average visibility can range from anywhere between 10 and 25 metres depending on the Atlantic ocean swells and weather patterns. The best time to dive in Portugal is in the summer months between June and September when the water is at its warmest.

Videos of Portugal