Diving
The Algarve’s dive sites are better than most visitors expect: the Ocean Revival park off Portimão, four navy ships sunk as an artificial reef, is one of Europe’s best wreck dives, and the rocky reaches around Lagos, Sagres and the eastern coast hold octopus, morays, seahorses and caves.
The centres listed here run everything from first-time try-dives in sheltered bays to full PADI certification courses and guided wreck trips for qualified divers. Water is warmest from July to October; visibility is often best in autumn.
All centres verified by us, bookings direct with them. No commission, no added fees.
What you can book
Real prices and durations, straight from the operators. Booked with no commission or fees.
Featured
Divers Cape
Discover Scuba Diving
A first-time scuba experience with Divers Cape at Porto da Baleeira, Sagres, from the shore or by boat.
WeDive Lagos
Ocean Revival Wreck Dive
A wreck dive on the Ocean Revival artificial reef, four sunken warships off the Algarve coast, with WeDive Lagos.
WeDive Lagos
Ponta da Piedade Dive
A dive along the walls, caves and rock formations near Ponta da Piedade, close to Lagos marina.
WeDive Lagos
Try Scuba Diving
An introductory scuba session for first-timers with WeDive, the first step on the centre's course ladder.
Easydivers
Batismo de Mergulho (Discover Scuba)
An introductory dive session for first-timers with Easydivers, a PADI Dive Center and SSI Diamond Instructor Training Centre at Marina de Albufeira.
Easydivers
SSI/PADI Open Water Diver Course
A full Open Water Diver certification course with Easydivers, taught by SSI and PADI instructors at Marina de Albufeira.
Easydivers
Recreational Boat Dive Trip
A recreational boat dive for certified divers with Easydivers, departing from Marina de Albufeira.
PuraVida DiveHouse
Discover Scuba Session
A beginner-friendly introductory dive with PuraVida DiveHouse, Portugal's self-described first dive camp in Sagres.
PuraVida DiveHouse
SSI Open Water Certification
A full SSI Open Water diver certification with PuraVida DiveHouse in Sagres; PADI certification is also available on request.
PuraVida DiveHouse
Dive Camp Package
A week of scuba diving or freediving combined with full-board accommodation at PuraVida's Dive Hostel in Sagres.
Divers Cape
PADI Open Water Diver Course
A 4-day PADI Open Water Diver certification course with Divers Cape at Porto da Baleeira, Sagres.
Divers Cape
Bubblemaker for Kids
A half-day introductory dive session for children aged 8 and up with Divers Cape in Sagres.
Divers Cape
Fun Diving for Certified Divers
Single boat dives or multi-day dive packages for certified divers with Divers Cape, exploring the caves, canyons and passages of the Sagres coastline.
Divespot Portugal
Discovery Dive for Beginners
An introductory dive for beginners with Divespot Portugal, the only dive centre in Armação de Pera, run by a marine-biologist-led team.
Divespot Portugal
Small-Group Reef Dive
A small-group dive on Portugal's largest natural reef in Armação de Pera Bay, home to more than 1,300 recorded marine species.
Lagos Divers
Discover Scuba Diving Taster
An introductory scuba dive for first-timers with Lagos Divers, a PADI 5-Star IDC dive centre in Lagos.
Lagos Divers
PADI Open Water Diver Course
A PADI Open Water Diver certification course run over three half days with Lagos Divers, valid for life once completed.
Lagos Divers
Private Sunday Diving Trip
A private group dive trip on Sundays with Lagos Divers, with the group choosing the dive site and building its own itinerary.
The operators
Blue Ocean Divers
PADI dive centre in Praia da Luz since 1996, running courses from taster dives to Divemaster plus kayak and snorkelling tours.
Algarve WaterSport
All-inclusive water sports camp in Lagos since 2006, offering surf, kite, wing foil, windsurf, wake and SUP from one base.
Vilamoura Watersports Centre
Vilamoura Marina's largest watersports operator: jet skis, parasailing, Benagil caves, dolphins and yacht charters, 30+ years trading.
Ski Molhado
Jet ski, parasailing, banana boat, wakeboard and dolphin-watching boat trips at Praia da Oura, Albufeira, trading since 1990, RNAAT 47/2010.
Lagos Divers
PADI 5-Star IDC dive centre in Lagos, daily trips to Ponta da Piedade and the Ocean Revival wreck park, full range of PADI courses.
Moments Watersports
Jet ski, flyboard, wakeboard, SUP and kayak hire plus Benagil cave boat tours at Armação de Pera beach, behind the Holiday Inn Algarve.
WELL Beach Club Watersports
Jet ski hire at the WELL Vale do Lobo beach concession, next to the resort's red-cliff beach; own online booking, WhatsApp contact.
Desportos Náuticos de Alvor
Yamaha jet ski rental and inflatable towables at Praia dos Três Irmãos, Alvor, run by a team with 40+ years of experience; RNAAT 35/2010.
Nautifun
Jet ski, parasailing, banana boat, UFO and airstream towables at Praia da Galé, Albufeira; RNAAT 226/2010 licensed watersports operator.
TC Jet Tour
Jet ski, boat rental and buggy tours based in Portimão and Alvor since 2021; own Shopify store, no-licence jet ski option available.
Tridente Boat Trips
Family-run boat tour operator in Armacao de Pera running Benagil Cave and coastal cave trips, shared tours from EUR 25, private from EUR 250.
Vilamoura Sailing Centre
Dinghy sailing training centre in Marina de Vilamoura, described on its own site as the world's biggest, with a 470/ILCA/J70 fleet and coach RIBs.
Before you book
Can I try diving without a certification?
Yes. A try-dive (PADI Discover Scuba) needs no experience: a briefing, a shallow confined-water session, then a guided dive with an instructor holding your group to a gentle depth. Minimum age is usually 10.
What is the Ocean Revival wreck park?
Four decommissioned Portuguese navy ships, including a 102-metre frigate, deliberately sunk off Portimão in 2012 to create an artificial reef. Depths run roughly 15 to 30 metres, so most of it needs an Advanced certification, which local centres can teach you on site.