Madeira Island, an archipelago in the North Atlantic south of Portugal is home to a UNESCO World Heritage site and several eco marine parks making it an outstanding scuba diving destination.
What is diving like in Madeira?
Scuba diving in Madeira comes with a host of reefs, walls, wrecks, islands and pinnacles to explore. Clear waters, volcanic sea beds and a strong serving of eco-diversity makes this a fantastic spot for divers of all levels.
When should I dive in Madeira?
Scuba diving off Madeira Island is available year-round. The best time for diving is between June and October. The area is known for its mild climate, warm summers and extremely mild winters. The average air temperature in the summer is around 24C/75F and 18C/64F in the winter.
Are there coral reefs in Madeira?
The Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands have many cold-water coral reefs mainly composed of Lophelia pertusa. The reefs are usually found at depths greater than 1000 metres, and are part of the belt of cold-water coral reefs stretching from Norway to West Africa.
Is Madeira good for scuba diving? – Related Questions
Are there sharks in Madeira?
The most common sighted shark species around Madeira are: hammerheads, mako, blue and different greyshark species. But there are much more species around, also further down in bigger depths.
Are there great white sharks in Madeira Portugal?
On the same note, the waters surrounding Madeira are shark-free and one has to venture out in a boat to encounter whales, turtles and dolphins.
Is there good snorkeling in Madeira?
The majestic island of Madeira is an excellent year round destination for snorkelling and the sea rarely falls below 18C even in the winter months. However, the best time to visit is during the summer when the sea tends to be at its warmest and calmest, and visibility is optimal.
Are there coral reefs in Portugal?
The Armação de Pêra reef is Portugal’s largest natural reef and is thought to be over 25,000 years old.
Is there a rainforest in Madeira?
The Laurisilva Rainforests span roughly 37,000 acres (15,000 hectares), and are part of the Madeira Natural Park (Parque Natural da Madeira) located on the Island of Madeira. The trails are best discovered on foot and guided hiking tours provide a simple way to explore the scenery.
Can you see manta rays in Madeira?
Diving is a great experience in Madeira that has average visibility 25-30 meters and plenty of rare sea species. You can explore reefs and caves, encounter parrot fish, octopus, starfish, tuna, and barracudas. You can even see a manta ray, sharks, dolphins or whales.
Is there a mosquito problem in Madeira?
Author summary. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is an invasive species on Madeira Island and recently responsible for a dengue outbreak that affected more than 2000 people. To help control the activity of this mosquito, the local health authorities have an entomological surveillance program in place throughout the island.
Is sea warm in Madeira?
The water temperature remains very pleasant all year round, ranging between 19°C/66°F (winter) and 24°C/75°F (summer). The best month to swim in the sea is in September, when the average sea temperature is 24°C (75°F).
Are there any poisonous creatures in Madeira?
Fauna and flora
There are no dangerous animals such as snakes, scorpions or spiders on the island so it is possible move freely without concern unless you are scared of heights. However, on Deserta Grande you could, with luck, find the highly poisonous Desertas’ Tarantula (Lycosa ingens).
Does Madeira have a drug problem?
JM headlines a story that drug consumption has increased this year in Madeira. The data provided to the newspaper is from the Commission for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. They indicate that since January the organization has accounted for 130 cases related to narcotics.
Are there sea lions in Madeira?
The existing colony of sea lions, currently counting around 23 members with a steadily growing population, is one of the last remaining in the world.
Are there tarantulas in Madeira?
Hogna ingens, the Deserta Grande wolf spider, is a critically endangered spider species endemic to the Deserta Grande Island of the Madeira archipelago – specifically a remote valley, the Vale de Castanheira.
| Hogna ingens |
| Species: |
H. ingens |
| Binomial name |
| Hogna ingens (Blackwall, 1857) |
| Synonyms |
Are there any Jews in Madeira?
Jews have been associated with Madeira from the era of Crypto-Jews to World War II evacuees. Like the Jews of mainland Portugal, Madeira Jews are mainly related to Sephardi history, a Jewish ethnic division that represents communities who have originated in the Iberian Peninsula.
Can a volcano erupt in Madeira?
The most recent eruptions at Madeira lies in the west-central part of the island, and consists of cinder cones in the upper Sao Vicente valley, a series of intracanyon flows, and a tephra layer on top of the Paul da Serra plateau dated at about 6500 years ago.