When you first visit Portugal, you want to see every corner of the globe, but what about the wonders beneath the seabed? Diving can be one of the most enjoyable and unique experiences of your life, which you can take advantage of while in Portugal. It's an activity that allows you to explore the fascinating underwater environment while also adapting to your specific needs and preferences. Unquestionably different from what we are accustomed to seeing on a daily basis.
1. Where to go scuba diving in Portugal?
There are several beaches along the Portuguese coast where you can enjoy a day of diving, regardless of your skill level. Do you want to discover the best places to dive while enjoying the seabed? You have come to the best place for this. Cabo del Mundo Beach is the most unique spot in Portugal for diving and admiring underwater beauty. Along the way, you'll come across a rocky outcropping that divides the sea from the beach and adds a unique touch to this spot, where you may dive to a depth of up to 30 metres, making it ideal for more experienced divers. The same can be said for Nazaré Beach, where you may dive from 20 to 100 metres deep in the Nazaré Canyon area, and observe the aquatic life that calls it home. If you wish to try scuba diving for the first time, you can do it off the coast of Sesimbra, specifically at Cape Espichel. This is a spot where you may see spider crabs, octocorals, octopuses, and varied depths and species to view on the bottom. You'll also be able to go diving along the Algarve's 60-kilometre coastline, particularly in the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Here you can practise any level of diving with the world's largest seahorses.
2. Is scuba diving a risky sport?
We all know that safety is quite important, and before embarking on a maritime adventure, you should keep in mind that good diving equipment is required in order to complete the activity safely. If you are not a diving expert, don't worry! You can rent a diving suit in Portugal from shops or schools that specialise in the sport and have various varieties available, such as wetsuits and drysuits. Booties, boots, and gloves should be worn in addition to the wetsuit to keep your body warm when diving. The diving equipment, on the other hand, is the stuff that will allow you to enjoy the activity while admiring the beauty of the marine sights. You must also have a compressed air bottle, which will make you feel more secure and comfortable in the water.
3. What are the requirements for this activity?
To go scuba diving, you must have a few documents ready. The most important is a medical certificate or responsible declaration since, while you do not need to be in exceptional physical condition to participate in this sport, however, you do need to be in good general health, which is why you need this document. It is also essential to have the official diving certificate (Open Water Diver), which allows you to dive to a maximum depth of 18 metres, and the Advanced Open Water Diver if you want to dive deeper. Finally, you must have a specific medical aid insurance policy for the activity. Because of the level of difficulty, not everyone in the family may participate in this activity as the minimum age is usually 18 years old, although you can do the baptism of diving, as well as recreational and sport diving with depth limits, starting at the age of 8.
4. What kinds of undersea adventures are there?
You will be able to participate in a variety of diving activities in Portugal. The major one will be a snorkelling or scuba diving baptism for those interested in entering the adventurous marine world. After you've completed your first dive, you'll be able to pursue other sorts of diving, such as recreational diving, which is spending your leisure time diving in the calmest and most enjoyable manner possible. To do so, you must first obtain the OWD certification, which will allow you to embark on various diving experiences on your own. Technical diving on the other hand, is for professionals who are capable of diving 40 metres to explore relatively undiscovered sections of the seabed and who have completed the AOWD course, which allows them to enhance their abilities under the supervision of a competent instructor. You can also enjoy a day of sport diving, which includes recreational diving tournaments. This is a style of diving that necessitates extensive planning and prior training, and the use of different breathing techniques. This type of diving includes different varieties such as photo diving, free diving, wreck diving and deep diving.
5. What is the duration of a dive?
The length of your diving activity is determined by your diving skill level. Most sport dives last 45 to 50 minutes on average, but the duration depends on the type of dive you choose and your level of diving experience. Breathing is the first factor to work on, and the more experience you have, the easier it will be to breathe underwater. Mastering the techniques will allow you to spend more time diving.
When is the ideal time to go scuba diving in Portugal?
Because it is an aquatic activity, it is much more enticing to participate during the summer, but we have good news: in Portugal, water temperatures do not fluctuate drastically from season to season. They are usually between 14 and 16 degrees, so there is no reason not to try scuba diving at any time of year.
