Dive Deeper Into Portugal Before or After Diving Talks
Portugal Dive invites divers to arrive a week earlier or stay a week longer and discover Portugal underwater. The team creates full diving experiences designed around each diver’s time, interests, and skill level.
Diving Talks brings the world’s diving community together in Portugal from October 17–19, 2025—but why limit the adventure to just one weekend? Portugal is not only home to Diving Talks, it is also one of Europe’s most exciting diving destinations. From the wrecks of Sesimbra to the dramatic underwater walls of the Berlengas, from the volcanic seascapes of the Azores to the warm waters of Madeira, the country offers extraordinary opportunities to explore above and below the surface.
From Mainland to Islands: Portugal’s Best Underwater Adventures
Mainland Portugal – Berlengas Archipelago: “Wrecks, walls, and wildlife—Berlengas is where Atlantic diving comes alive.”
Madeira – Garajau Marine Reserve: “Meet the giants of Garajau—friendly groupers and crystal-clear waters await.”
Azores – Faial & Pico: “Dive between islands shaped by fire and sea—Azorean adventures you’ll never forget.”
Portugal Dive Tip of the Month: Pack Smart for Portugal’s Waters
Water temperatures in Portugal vary depending on the region—from the cooler Atlantic waters of the Berlengas to the warmer subtropical seas of Madeira. A 5–7 mm wetsuit (or even a drysuit for extra comfort in the mainland) will keep divers cozy, while in Madeira or the Azores a 5 mm suit is often enough. A hood and gloves are also recommended for longer dives.
Mainland Portugal Highlight: Berlengas Nature Reserve
Where dramatic Atlantic beauty meets protected biodiversity
Why it’s unique:
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Dramatic underwater landscapes: caves, tunnels, drop-offs
- Abundant marine life, including large schools of fish, dusky groupers, and octopus
- Rich historical background with remnants of ancient wrecks
Just a few kilometers off the coast of Peniche lies the Berlengas archipelago—a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of Portugal’s most remarkable diving destinations.
Beneath its rugged cliffs and clear Atlantic waters lies an underwater world carved by time and teeming with life. Diving in the Berlengas means exploring volcanic rock formations, dramatic walls, and maze-like tunnels shaped by centuries of ocean movement.
The area is known for its biodiversity, thanks to strict protection measures. Divers can encounter dense schools of seabream, octopus, wrasse, and the occasional John Dory. With luck, large groupers or elusive monkfish may also appear.
Visibility can reach 20 meters or more in summer, and water temperatures range from 16–20ºC, offering optimal conditions for summer dives. The reserve’s many dive sites cater to all experience levels, from beginners to technical divers.
Adding a layer of history—ancient shipwrecks still rest in the area—explains why the Berlengas is not just a dive site. It is a dive into Portugal’s wild, untamed Atlantic soul.
Your Next Dive Adventure Starts Now!
Divers can choose Mainland Portugal, Madeira, or the Azores—each offering unique experiences.
Plan Ahead & Secure Your Spot. Early bookings ensure the best dive conditions, accommodations, and exclusive deals.
Challenge Accepted? Contact Portugal Dive today and start planning a dream dive trip.
Madeira Highlight: Garajau Nature Reserve
Where dramatic Atlantic beauty meets protected biodiversity
Why it’s unique:
- Portugal’s first marine reserve, established in 1986
- Known for massive dusky groupers and eagle rays
- Volcanic seabed with canyons and dramatic rock formations
- Year-round warm waters and incredible visibility
Located on the southern coast of Madeira Island, the Garajau Marine Reserve is a diving gem that has been protected since 1986.
As the oldest marine reserve in Portugal, Garajau stands as a testament to successful marine conservation—and offers divers a front-row seat to thriving Atlantic marine life.
The star attraction here is the massive dusky groupers that rule the rocky reef. These gentle giants, often growing over a meter in length, are impressively approachable thanks to decades of protection.
Alongside them, divers often encounter barracuda, eagle rays, octopus, moray eels, and clouds of colorful wrasse. Garajau’s volcanic topography adds to the experience, with dramatic drop-offs, arches, and swim-throughs that make every dive exciting.
Visibility can easily exceed 25 meters, and water temperatures stay between 18–24ºC year-round, making this a fantastic destination for winter diving in Europe.
Whether new to diving or a seasoned underwater explorer, Garajau offers a safe, accessible, and unforgettable dive into the richness of Madeira’s marine biodiversity.
Check out the Madeira Packages!
Azores Highlight: Princess Alice Bank (from Faial or Pico Island)
The most iconic dive spot: a remote seamount where pelagic dreams come true
Why it’s unique:
- Open ocean dive site over a seamount 45 nautical miles from Faial or Pico
- Pelagic magic: Mobula rays, barracuda, tuna, and sometimes whales
- Challenging and remote—reserved for experienced divers
- Among Europe’s top bucket-list dives
Far out in the mid-Atlantic, rising from depths of over 1,000 meters to a plateau at just 35–50 meters below the surface, Princess Alice Bank is the crown jewel of Azorean diving.
Discovered by Prince Albert I of Monaco in 1896, this remote offshore seamount is located about 45 nautical miles southwest of Pico Island—and offers one of the most spectacular open-ocean dive experiences in Europe.
Diving at Princess Alice is nothing short of breathtaking. The site is famous for its large aggregations of mobula rays, which glide effortlessly through the currents, often approaching divers in a dance-like display. Schools of barracuda, amberjack, and tuna sweep across the blue, while the occasional Galapagos or blue shark might make a cameo.
This is not a site for beginners. The exposed location, deep starting depth, and frequent currents demand experience and confidence. But for advanced divers, the reward is unforgettable: a pristine, pelagic playground in the middle of the ocean.
Princess Alice is not just a dive site—it is a rite of passage for those who seek the extraordinary.
Diving Talks 2025
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The “TED Talks of Diving”
Everything about Diving Talks is new—every edition brings fresh ideas, world-class speakers, and unforgettable stories. For the fifth edition, divers can expect more inspiration, more exploration, and more reasons to dive.
Also featured is the Diving Talks Underwater Photography Collection—a curated display of stunning visuals contributed by speakers and photographers. Each year is different, and the 2025 lineup demonstrates why.
Save the Date: October 17–19, 2025
Location: Lisbon – Cordoaria Nacional
The photo captures a striking moment at Diving Talks: a speaker stands confidently on stage, framed by a towering high-class LED display glowing with crisp visuals of the deep sea. Every detail is vivid—from the shifting blues of the ocean backdrop to the speaker’s passionate gestures as he shares a groundbreaking story of underwater exploration. The audience, silhouetted against the luminous screen, sits motionless, captivated. Their eyes follow every word, every image. It is more than a talk—it is an immersive experience, where storytelling, science, and the spirit of diving converge in a perfect visual symphony.
Find out more at www.divingtalks.com.
