Portugal
a view of the coastal dock in Porto, Portugal

Portugal

Wreck enthusiasts flock to Portugal because of its long maritime history. Divers can explore various shipwrecks and submarines and access dive sites across its long coastline. Portugal is also home to marine preserves and national parks teeming with corals and other marine life.

Geography of Portugal

Portugal occupies one-sixth of the Iberian Peninsula and is located at the southwest perimeter of Europe. To its north and east is its neighbor Spain, and to the south and west is the Atlantic Ocean. The country shares geographic commonalities with Europe and the Meditteranean: the northern coast and mountain ranges are sparsely populated, scenic and wild, while the southern region is warm and fertile.

Northern Portugal is home to Meseta Central, a block of ancient rock that makes up the core of the Iberian Peninsula. On the other hand, the south consists of large plateaus and limestone areas.

Berlengas Natural Reserve

The Berlengas Biosphere Reserve consists of a small group of islands and rocks found in the mainland. The coastline features wonderful rock formations and natural grottoes. Since it's influenced by Atlantic and Meditteranean weather, it is a unique ecosystem inhabited by fish, sea mammals, and other organisms. It also offers excellent visibility for divers of all skill levels.

Burgau Wreck

If you’re new to wreck diving, consider visiting the Burgau Wreck in the Algarve region. Located in shallow waters, the shipwreck is great for both snorkeling and scuba diving in Portugal. The ship stretches 30 meters long and is surrounded by stunning marine life, including cuttlefish, spider crabs, and moray eels.

Sesimbra

Scuba diving in Portugal wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Lisbon. The area is home to the Arrábida National Park, which is recognized for its underwater topography of platforms and crevices. These underwater features attract various species of stingrays, squid, and sea urchins. The region also contains the River Gurara, a Nigerian cargo shipwreck. The ship is divided into two sections, and divers can admire its massive propellers, which are home to various sea creatures.

Jardim das Gorgónias

Known for its diversity of life, Jardim das Gorgónias is the perfect dive spot if you’re into marine photography. As you descend into the waters, a group of seabreams will beckon you into their territory. When you reach the seafloor, you’ll notice soft corals and fish lurking between rocks. You’ll also be greeted by an explosion of color due to the abundance of sponges, anemones, forkbeards, and nudibranchs.

Princess Alice Bank

The Azores Islands are a cluster of weather-beaten islands with a raw, natural beauty. Here you’ll find the Princess Alice Bank, named after the royal research vessel of Albert I, Prince of Monaco. The submerged landform is surrounded by common dolphins, sperm whale bulls, and other marine life. With a minimum depth of 104 feet and the potential for strong currents, the site is only suitable for advanced divers.

SS Dori Wreck

The SS Dori has found its final resting place about 20 meters below sea level near the Ponta Delgada Harbour in São Miguel Island. The 130 meter long ship was part of Operation Overlord—the biggest military operation in history. The shipwreck is an oasis of life for small species such as moray eels, octopuses, Almaco jacks, and yellowmouth barracudas.

Porto Santo

Meanwhile, in the Madeira Archipelago, divers can explore the crystal clear waters of Porto Santo and the Madeirense shipwreck. The island has some of the clearest waters in Portugal. The Madeirense shipwreck is over 70 meters long, and is inhabited by barracudas, tuna, and lilies. Expect dolphins and sperm whales to keep you company during your dive.

Garajau Nature Reserve

The Garajau Nature Reserve was created in 1986 and can be found on the south coast of Madeira Island. The marine park includes a strip that runs from the high tide line into the sea and is over 50 meters deep. Exploring the nature reserve will reward you with an impressive view of dusky groupers, monk seals, manta rays, and trumpetfishes.

Marine Life

  • Blue Sharks - Blue sharks are open-ocean predators that thrive in tropical and cold temperate waters. They stray from the coast and feast on small pelagic fishes and squids. As a highly migratory species, they can be spotted making several trips across the ocean. Catch a glimpse of the blue shark when you go diving in Portugal between July to September.
  • Manta Rays - Manta rays are the largest species of ray and are one of the biggest fishes in the world. “Manta” translates to cloak or blanket in Spanish, which describes their flat, diamond-shaped bodies with triangular pectoral fins. They usually live alone or in small groups, banding together to hunt for prey in the ocean’s depths.
  • Blue Whales - Blue whales are the largest animals to have lived on Earth. The tongue of a blue whale can weigh as much as an elephant’s, while its heart is about the size of an automobile. This species feeds almost exclusively on krill, which are tiny shrimp-like animals. If you’re lucky, you can spot these majestic creatures while diving between March and April.

Other Attractions

  • Batalha Monastery - The Monastery of Batalha was built in commemoration of the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. At the battle, an army of 6,500 Portuguese soldiers and a few hundred English allies defeated a 30,000-strong force led by Juan I of Castile who claimed the throne of João d’Avis. João prayed to the Virgin Mary for help and vowed to build a grand monastery should they emerge victorious. Two years after the battle was won, work began on the house of worship.
  • Palácio Nacional de Sintra - The splendid Palácio Nacional de Sintra is the pinnacle of Romanticist architecture in Portugal. King Fernando II fell in love with Sintra city, so he ordered that the palace be built at the site of an old convent of the Order of St. Jerome. It became a favorite summer retreat for the kings and queens of Portugal, and was visited by Lord Byron and William Beckford. The palace is recognizable through its conical chimneys, cobbled lanes, and pastel-colored townhouses.
  • Mosteiro dos Jerónimos - The Mosteiro is a UNESCO-listed monastery that fuses Diogo de Boitaca’s creative vision and King Manuel I’s goal to create a monument that honored the country’s era of conquest and expansion. The monastery commemorated mariner Vasco da Gama’s discovery of a sea route to India in 1498, and it has turned into one of Portugal’s most revered buildings. Enter the church for a breathtaking view of Renaissance wood carvings and honey-stone Manueline cloisters.

How to Get There

By Air
TAP is Portugal’s national airline, which offers direct flights from London and New York, as well as other cities in the United Kingdom. Flight time takes about two to three hours. Those coming from the United States or Canada can book a flight with United Airlines, Lufthansa, or TAP. Travel time is around seven hours.

By Sea
Tourists may join cruises that head around the Meditteranean then stop off at Lisbon. They may also opt to board a cruise ship to Madeira or the Azores Islands. An alternative route would be to take the ferry to France or Spain then travel to Portugal by car, coach, or train.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to schedule a trip to Portugal is between spring (March to May) or early fall (September). During these seasons, the crowds are thinner, accommodation rates are lower, and temperatures are warmer.

Required Trainings & Certifications

There’s an incredible variety of marine life waiting to be discovered in Portugal. Even though it’s possible to go diving without training or certification, it helps to take even a basic Open Water Diver Course. Plus, some dive spots are only recommended for advanced divers so it pays to get certified for an Advanced Open Water Diver Course.

Miscellaneous Information

Currency
Along with most European nations, the currency of Portugal is the euro.

Language
Portuguese is the country’s official and most widely spoken language. Other languages include English, Spanish, French, Mirandese, and Portuguese sign language.

Time Zone
Portugal observes Western European Summer Time (GMT+1).

Driving Side
Similar to the rest of Continental Europe, people in Portugal drive on the right side of the road.

Calling Code
Calling Portugal from another country requires callers to dial +351 after the IDD.

ISO 3166 code
ISO 3166-2:PT is Portugal’s listed code in the ISO 3166-2 standard.

Internet TLD
The internet TLD for Portugal is .pt.