Portugal

Country Name: Portuguese Republic

Capital City: Lisbon

Population: Approximately 10.2 million (2024 est.)

Official Language: Portuguese

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Time Zone: Western European Time (WET), UTC +0; Western European Summer Time (WEST), UTC +1 during daylight saving time.

Aerial view of turquoise sea waves crashing on rocky coast
Boats sailing near rocky cliffs and clear blue water
Sunset view of train, river, and cityscape
Colorful riverfront buildings and boats in Porto, Portugal

Diving Overview

Portugal offers diverse diving experiences with its clear waters, rich marine life, and fascinating underwater landscapes. The country’s dive sites are ideal for both novice and experienced divers, featuring everything from shallow reefs to deep wrecks and dramatic underwater caves.

  • Number of Dive Sites: Over 50
  • Types of Diving: Reef, wreck, cave, and drift diving.
  • Marine Biodiversity Highlights: Groupers, octopuses, moray eels, various species of nudibranchs, and colorful coral formations.
  • Average Water Temperatures: 16-23°C (61-73°F).
  • Visibility Range: 10-30 meters (33-98 feet)

Important Information

Optimal Dive Seasons

The best diving conditions are typically from June to September, with warm waters and excellent visibility.

Major Airports

Humberto Delgado Airport (Lisbon), Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (Porto), Faro Airport (Faro)

The Travel Tip

A 5mm wetsuit is generally recommended for diving in Portugal’s waters, especially during the cooler months.

Weather Patterns

Portugal has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Coastal regions are generally cooler and windier.

Internal Transportation

Options include trains, buses, car rentals, and domestic flights, providing connectivity across the mainland and islands.

Attractions

Major attractions include the historic Belem Tower in Lisbon, the Douro Valley wine region, the beaches of the Algarve, the medieval town of Sintra, and the volcanic landscapes of the Azores.

Top Dive Regions

Portugal offers a variety of top dive regions, each with unique underwater landscapes and rich marine life. The Azores are renowned for their clear waters, volcanic formations, and encounters with large pelagic species like manta rays and whale sharks. Madeira features diverse dive sites, including the Garajau Marine Reserve known for its abundant marine life and the famous Blue Hole. The Algarve boasts vibrant reefs and interesting wrecks, such as the Ocean Revival Park, making it a popular destination for divers. Peniche and the Berlengas Islands are famous for their underwater caves, rich biodiversity, and the pristine conditions of the Berlengas Nature Reserve. These regions cater to divers of all levels, making Portugal a premier destination for underwater adventures.

Azores

Known for its clear waters, volcanic underwater landscapes, and rich marine life, including encounters with large pelagic species like manta rays and whale sharks.

Madeira

Offers diverse dive sites, including the Garajau Marine Reserve with its abundant marine life and the famous Blue Hole.

Algarve

Features vibrant reefs, interesting wrecks like the Ocean Revival Park, and clear waters, making it a popular diving destination.

Peniche and Berlengas

Known for their underwater caves, rich biodiversity, and the Berlengas Nature Reserve, which offers pristine diving conditions.

Marine Life

Portugal’s marine life is diverse and abundant, providing vibrant underwater experiences for divers and snorkelers. The waters around the mainland and the islands are home to a variety of fish species, including groupers, bream, and parrotfish. Invertebrates such as octopuses, cuttlefish, and various species of nudibranchs add to the underwater diversity. The rocky reefs and underwater caves provide habitats for moray eels, lobsters, and crabs, while the colorful coral formations enhance the visual appeal of the dive sites. Marine protected areas around the islands and along the coast help preserve these ecosystems, ensuring that Portugal’s marine life thrives.

Common Species: Groupers, octopuses, moray eels, bream, parrotfish, nudibranchs, cuttlefish, lobsters, and crabs.

Seasonal Highlights: Manta rays and whale sharks are most commonly seen around the Azores during the summer months, while the best visibility for exploring wrecks and caves is typically in late summer and early autumn.