Scuba diving in Lisbon can be summed up in two phrases: 'historic shipwrecks' and the 'Arrábida National Park.' 
With Portugal being at the forefront of the "Age of Discovery" and Lisbon the epicenter of this strong maritime past, the surrounding waters are now thriving with shipwrecks to explore, making diving in Lisbon a wreck diver's dream.

Besides fascinating wreck dives, Lisbon's waters are home to Portugal's first underwater marine park, Arrábida National Park. The fantastic underwater topography found here makes for thrilling dives and excellent habitat for abundant marine life.

The best time to go scuba diving in Lisbon is from April to October when the water and air temperatures are warmest. Although air temperatures can reach 27C/81F in the summer, the water does not exceed 22C/71F, so you will still want to bring a wetsuit.

The busiest time of year is August, so we recommend diving in Lisbon in late June or September for fewer crowds but the same pleasant weather.

The Atlantic Ocean surrounding Lisbon is thriving with life and offers various types of diving to suit every level of diver. The large protected bay is filled with shipwrecks for wreck divers to investigate. Lisbon diving sites exposed to the open Atlantic offer fun drift dives and chances to see pelagic species like rays, dolphins, and sunfish. Lisbon diving also offers fantastic reef diving, drift dives, wall dives, and underwater caves to explore.

The wrecks and reefs found in Lisbon's waters offer fantastic habitat to a diverse array of marine life. Amongst the reef, look for lobsters, squid, crab, octopus, conger eels, and moray eels. Lisbon diving sites exposed to the open Atlantic Ocean offer a chance at seeing dolphins, rays, white sea bass, and sunfish (or mola mola). More rare sightings include seahorses in Sesimbra and phosphorescent anemones.

Arrábida National Park - Arrábida National Park is the first marine park established in continental Portugal and one of the most popular dive areas in this region. Come explore the beautiful sheer underwater cliffs that make this area famous.

River Gurara Proa Wreck - Diving in the Lisbon Region is not complete without diving this famous wreck. This Nigerian cargo ship sank during a storm in 1989 and is now host to a rich array of marine life.

Roberto Ivens - A fantastic wreck dive for experienced divers due to the depth and mild to strong current. This 60-year-old trawler wreckage is home to many different interesting species.

Fonte de Telha - Sitting just offshore from this long stretch of beautiful beach are a handful of excellent dive sites. Due to its exposure to the open ocean, Fonte de Telha offers a chance to spot sunfish (mola mola), dolphins, and rays.

Pedra da Lagoa - Due to strong currents, Pedra da Lagoa is for more experienced divers and offers a great rocky canyon that is home to lobsters, rock crabs, octopus, and many conger eels.