Algarve Diving
The Algarve region of Portugal, also known as the Faro District, is famous for its crisp blue waters and meet fine-sand beaches tucked away in cozy coves, all set against stunning red sand cliffs. Scuba Diving in the Algarve is fantastic. The clear, calm water is perfect for diving any time of the year.
Albufeira
Centrally located in the Algarve region of Portugal, Albufeira is a great launching point for your Portugal diving adventure. This coastal town's popularity grows every year as a sun-drenched holiday destination for Europeans and is now the number one tourist destination in Portugal. After diving in these calm, clear Atlantic waters, you can relax on soft sandy beaches set against the stunning red sand cliffs that make this area famous.
Diving in the Algarve
With nearly 200km of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, there are numerous opportunities to go scuba diving in the Algarve region of Portugal. The Algarve boasts beautiful weather year-round with calm, clear seas that are perfect for exploring underwater.
There are many dive sites along the Algarve coast where beginning to expert divers can enjoy a wide variety of underwater attractions and marine life. Algarve dive centers offer daily dive trips to several sunken ships and stunning natural reefs up and down the coast. Portugal's largest reef lies just offshore, making this a unique area for scuba diving.
The mix of nutrient-dense water from the Atlantic Ocean and the extensive, healthy reef system creates an abundance of marine biodiversity. During Algarve diving, you will encounter colorful nudibranchs, octopuses, conger eels, spider crabs, moray eels, and lobsters hiding among the rocky reef. Swimming around the reef, you will see snapper, triggerfish, grouper, sea bream, barracuda, and much more!
You can find many Algarve dive centers between the towns of Albufeira and Lagos that offer daily boat dives and a wide range of dive courses in the Algarve.
The best time to go diving in the Algarve is in the summer when the air and water temperatures are at their warmest. This is also the most touristy time of year, as this area is gaining in popularity with Europeans as the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing summer holiday. If you can travel in the late spring or early fall, temperatures are still very pleasant, and you will encounter fewer crowds and cheaper hotel rates.
Best places to dive
Lagos
The largest, most western town along the Algarve, Lagos is home to a dozen fantastic dive sites featuring life-filled artificial reefs, beautiful reef dives, and exciting caves to explore.
Albufeira
This cute, coastal town is home to a handful of fun dive sites. Visit artificial reefs full of life and unique underwater rock formations.
Ocean Revival Underwater Park
The Ocean Revival Underwater Park is the world's single largest artificial reef structure. Made up of four Navy ships, this site never offers the same dive twice and is exploding with marine life!
Vilamoura
With three distinct dive sites, Vilamoura is an excellent place to stop for some fun diving. This is a great area to see moray eels, conger eels, and octopuses.
The Caves of Atalaia
Also known as The Cathedral, this impressive cavern has a wide entrance that leads divers into a vast cave. The cave ceiling sits 15 meters above the surface, and the cave is accessible by boat at low tide. Above and below water, you can see stalactites and stalagmite formations. This is what diving in the Algarve is all about.
