Just one look into the azure-blue waters that this area's picturesque coastline is famous for will make you want to grab your gear and go diving! This region of Portugal has catered to divers by building many artificial reefs that attract an abundant array of colorful marine life.

There are a handful of Albufeira dive centers to choose from that run daily dive trips to excellent dive sites just offshore. While boat diving, you can also explore the many secluded caves and coves that are only accessible by boat.
 

Albufeira dive centers offer scuba diving in Albufeira year-round; however, water temperatures are cooler in the winter. With an average air temperature of 28C/82F and water temperature of 23C/73F in the summer, this is a popular tourist destination. 

Albufeira diving in the late spring and early fall still offers warmer temperatures but fewer crowds and cheaper hotel rates. In the winter, temperatures are colder, but with a thicker wetsuit you can enjoy excellent visibility.
 

Albufeira diving is available to scuba divers of all training levels, offering mostly reef and wall dives. These calm Atlantic waters are perfect for both beginning and experienced divers.

You will appreciate this area's many artificial reefs built specifically to attract marine life for divers to enjoy. Those looking for more thrilling dives can check out the excellent wreck dives and easily accessible caves found just off the coastline. 
 

While scuba diving in Albufeira, you will encounter a diverse array of marine life, especially around the artificial reefs. Look for spider crabs, lobsters, moray eels, conger eels, and octopus hiding among the many crevices. You will also enjoy many fish species like cuttlefish, sea bream, triggerfish, snapper, damselfish, and barracuda. 

This region of Portugal is famous for its nudibranch population, where you can find over 150 different species of nudibranchs in many sizes and colors.
 

Santa Eulalia - Santa Eulalia is the most popular dive site in Albufeira. The wide variety of marine life here makes it like a natural aquarium where you can even see seahorses. Depths are shallow enough for all diving levels. 

Arrifes - This vast dive site consists of long rock formations covered in colorful anemones with plenty of crevices for interesting marine life to hide, like spider crabs and octopus. Arrifes is a long, relaxing, shallow dive.

2 Anchors - This dive site gets its name from the two old anchors that sit inside a small underwater alcove and are covered in blennies and small nudibranchs. 

Valados - Bring a dive light for this exciting wall dive. Part of Cela, the largest natural reef in Portugal, Valados is what Albufeira diving is all about: fascinating underwater topography filled with marine life.

Pedra do Alto - Pedra do Alto is a popular Albufeira dive site and a great place to encounter the famous red scorpionfish. This natural rocky reef runs in a line, making it easy to navigate and is shallow enough for all divers.