Planning a diving holiday in Madeira
The Garajau Marine Reserve on the south coast east of Funchal has been a strictly protected marine reserve since 1986. To get to Garajau Beach, you drive or take the cable car down from Cristo Rei and enter the water from the shore. In Caniço de Baixo, a dive centre is located directly at its house reef within the reserve. Fishing is prohibited throughout the area, and dive boats may only moor at the mooring buoys. Off Cabo Girão lies the corvette Afonso Cerqueira, which was sunk in 2018 to create an artificial reef. The ferry to Porto Santo departs daily from Funchal, and two more sunken ships lie off the island.
This booklet helps you plan your week. Sample itineraries combine dive sites into days, each with a Plan B in case the wind changes. The last day before your return flight is kept dive-free, and there are suggestions for that too. The travel period is broken down by month and includes water and air temperatures, wind, visibility, crowds, and special features, so you can choose your dates before booking your flight and accommodation.
You will receive an A5-format PDF that you can read on your phone or tablet while on the go and print as a booklet at home.