Funchal: Diving with Sharks & Rays in Madeira Aquarium

Dive into the tank where the sharks are watching you back

You descend six meters into a 500,000-liter tank with sharks, rays and morays, guided by a professional who stays at your side. All equipment is provided, and the dive works for first-timers and certified divers alike. Family and friends watch from above, and you get a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium afterward. Plan the dive for a day when you're not traveling by plane.

Step-by-step itinerary

Diving experience at Madeira Aquarium

• Arrive at Madeira Aquarium
• Receive diving equipment
• Participate in baptism at Cachalote pools
• Dive in main 6m deep tank
• Explore aquarium with guided tour

The experience

The water in the main tank is so clear you hear the filter before you see anything move. Then a ray glides past, and you realize the whole 500,000-liter space is alive around you. This is the Madeira Aquarium dive in Funchal, not a boat trip hoping to spot something, but a controlled descent six meters down into a tank where the animals are already there, already used to divers, already curious about you. You get all the equipment, a professional guide stays with you the whole time, and anyone watching from above can see exactly what you're doing through the glass.

The dive itself is built for both certified divers and complete beginners. If you've never been underwater before, the experience starts with a baptism in the Cachalote natural pools: basically a shallow introduction so you're not panicking the moment you hit the main tank. After that, you descend with your guide into the aquarium proper, where sharks, rays, morays and smaller species move around you in the blue. It's not the open ocean. It's controlled, it's safe, and it's the kind of close encounter with these animals that would take weeks of boat dives to guarantee. The guide handles the pacing, points out what's happening, and keeps you oriented the whole time.

Before or after the dive, you get a guided tour of the aquarium's technical areas: the parts tourists don't usually see. It's not a long add-on. It's part of the package, and it gives you context for what you just experienced underwater. The whole thing takes a few hours, and you leave knowing you've actually been in the water with animals most people only see through glass. One thing to plan for: don't fly the same day. Your body needs time after diving, and the pressure changes don't mix well with altitude.

What’s included

Your experience includes all SCUBA equipment, a professional guide who stays with you throughout the dive, a baptism in the Cachalote natural pools for first-timers, the dive itself in the main tank at six meters depth, and a guided tour of the aquarium's technical areas afterward.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 80 years) · Youth (15 to 17 years) · Child (10 to 14 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 4

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Lava Diving Center

Is this one for you?Right for divers and non-divers who want a close encounter with sharks and rays in a controlled setting, without the uncertainty of a boat trip. Plan your dive day away from air travel: the pressure changes afterward mean you need time on the ground before flying.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 17 years); Child (10 to 14 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

Do I need diving certification to do this?

No. The experience includes a baptism in natural pools for beginners, then the main tank dive with a guide. Certified divers can also participate.

What's included in the price?

All SCUBA equipment, the guide, the dive in the main tank, the baptism in natural pools, and a guided tour of the aquarium's technical areas.

How deep is the dive?

Six meters in the main tank, which holds 500,000 liters of water.

Can my family watch?

Yes. Family and friends can observe from above the tank while you dive.

Is this safe for people with health conditions?

Diving is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health. Moderate physical fitness is required.

Can I do this if I'm flying the same day?

No. It's not suitable for travelers on the same day as a flight due to pressure changes after diving.

Where is this in Funchal?

The Madeira Aquarium in Funchal. Public transportation options are available nearby.