Dive the clear waters off Caniçal and Ponta de São Lourenço with expert instructors from Scorpio Madeira. This guided experience is ideal for beginners and certified divers seeking seahorses, stingrays, and dramatic volcanic underwater scenery.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the small dive boat into a bowl of blue—Madeira’s Atlantic light cuts through the surface and the ocean answers in crystalline clarity. The eastern tip of Madeira, Ponta de São Lourenço, unspools as raw cliffs above water and sculpted volcanic shelves below, where instructors from Scorpio Madeira guide first-time and experienced divers into a compact world of seahorses, stingrays and, if fortune favors you, the elusive monk seal.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Comfortable swimming ability and basic mobility; suitable for most fitness levels but disclose health issues
Wildlife
History
Caniçal grew from a fishing settlement; its maritime traditions inform many local businesses, including dive operators staffed by fishermen’s families.
Conservation
Ponta de São Lourenço is a protected reserve—diving operators follow strict no‑touch rules and promote reef‑safe practices to minimize impact.
Reserve your spot on the Try scuba diving today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Arrive early for the briefing
Plan to be at the meeting point 30 minutes early to complete paperwork and the safety briefing without rush.
Bring reef‑safe sunscreen
You’ll spend time on deck between dives—use biodegradable sunscreen to protect local marine habitats.
Be honest about health conditions
Disclose any heart, spinal, or pregnancy conditions during booking—diving has strict medical safety rules.
Shoes for rocky shores
Wear sturdy shoes for boarding and exiting small boats at rocky landings around Caniçal.
Shorty or full wetsuit
Keeps you warm during dives—thickness depends on season and tolerance to cold.
spring
Mask and snorkel
Personal mask improves comfort and fit, reducing fogging during surface intervals.
Reef‑safe sunscreen
Protects skin on deck and reduces harmful chemicals entering the marine environment.
summer
Water shoes or dive booties
Useful for boarding and walking on rocky jetties at Caniçal’s dive launch points.