DISCOVER REEFS, WRECKS AND RAYS IN MADEIRA’S UNDERWATER PARADISE


Exciting and accessible diving for lovers of the deep blue

Whether novice or advanced, diving enthusiasts cannot help but be lured into the busy aquatic gardens and translucent ocean surrounding the spectacular Madeira Islands. The dramatic topography and clear sub-tropical waters brought in by the Gulf Stream culminate in a unique and awe-inspiring sub-aqua experience, enjoyed all year round, and only a three-and-a-half hour flight hop from the UK.
With sea cliffs dropping sharply to depths of 3,000 metres, Madeira’s deep and temperate waters, ranging from 17°C - 24°C, provide a colourful home for dolphins, whales and a dazzling host of sea creatures.


The protected biosphere of the Parcial do Garajau Nature Reserve which hugs Madeira’s southern shore famously attracts a rare combination of warm and cold water species, including Barracudas, Mediterranean Moray, Dusky Grouper, White Sea Bream, Colonies of Garden Eels, Monkfish, Turtles, colossal Atlantic Manta Ray and in summer groups of Urjamantas and flocks of rudderfish may also be seen. The more adventurous may visit the Reis Magos for night diving and observe the vast variety of night time fish.
Providing the chance to spot the monk seal - Europe’s most endangered mammal - on the Desertas Islands and explore wrecks such as the Bom Rei and the sunken Madeirense, famously shipwrecked off the coast of Porto Santo in 2000, Madeira is a free-diving, Autonomous diving and snorkelling paradise, attracting a wealth of underwater flora and fauna and scuba divers alike.


The islands' thriving waters are made easily accessible by its outstanding diving facilities. The Manta Diving Centre, based in Madeira’s underwater national park, and just a few steps away from its vibrant reef, has been awarded The Golden Dolphin Award for ‘Best Diving Centre in the Atlantic’ four times since 2000. The acclaimed centre operates in four spectacular diving spots that are awash with caves, grottos and an abundance of aquatic creatures typical of the archipelago. Exhilarating boat rides to a number of other colourful dive spots are also available, as well as CMAS and PADI regulated diving courses for all levels.


Thanks to its remarkable coastline, truly breathtaking array of sea life, and magnificent variety of dive points, Madeira is a scuba goldmine for all abilities.
Additional diving centres in Madeira include Diving Places, Horisonte do Atlântico, Madeira Dive Point, Madeira Oceano's, Naturcruise, Rhea Dive, Porto Santo Sub and Tubarão Madeira Mergulho.

For all enquiries regarding the Madeira Islands, please contact The Madeira Promotion Bureau on +351 291 203 420 or email: geral@ap-madeira.pt or the Madeira Tourism Board +351 291 211 900 or log onto www.madeiraislands.travel




Data: 16 AUG 2010