A list of the best rated scuba dive sites in Madeira.
Bowbelle, Bom Rei
One of the most popular wreck dives in Madeira is the Bowbelle, later renamed as Bom Rei. Its story starts with a huge tragedy when it rammed the 26 meter long private birthday boat called the Marchioness. It was the 20th of August 1989 on the river Thames in London that many young attendees died in the confusion that followed. The tragedy was all over the news but eventually the skipper was acquitted by the jury. The 90 meter long sand dredger Bowbelle was sold to Madeira one year later where ...
Porto Santo
The best known place on Porto Santo (Holy Port) is its nine kilometer long sandy beach running across the complete length of the south eastern side of the island, from Vila Baleira to Ponta de Calheta. The Gulf Stream currents provide for relatively warm swimming waters and several tourist facilities making it a relaxed beach. Its interior is hilly with volcanic cones as well as Mediterranean forests and sandstone cliffs in the north. Its main village is Vila Baleira or Porto Santo Town with a n...
Selvagens Islands
The Selvagens Islands, sometimes called the Savage Islands, Salvage Islands and Ilhas Selvagens, is a small volcanic rocky archipelago located just southeast of Madeira. They are actually nearer to the Canary Islands than to Madeira but nevertheless belong to Portugal. The group consists out of two substantial larger islands named Selvagem Grande Island (with Sinho Islet, Palheiro do Mar and Palheiro da Terra the northeast group) and Selvagem Pequena Island (with Fora Islet, Alto, Comprido and R...
Desertas Islands
The Desertas Islands or Ilhas Desertas are a set of three islands just southwest of Funchal, Madeira. The islands are named Deserta Grande, Bugio (monkey) and Ilhéu Chão (the flat islands) found on the way to the Selvagens Islands and the Canary Islands. All three long and narrow islands are rough and have peaks up to 400 meters making it a very impressive sight if first reached by boat. They were discovered in 1420 by a Portuguese discoverer and named after the absence of drinking...
Madeira
Madeira is a nice mountainous island in the northern Atlantic Ocean known for its mild climate and its many subtropical flowers and plants, suitably nicknamed the floating garden. The capital Funchal is a five century old Portuguese town with picturesque buildings, breathtaking views on the coast and the historic Sé Cathedral. Activities such as surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain biking, island tours, boating and guided walks are popular among tourists. Besides Funchal, villages ...