Diving in the Madeira Aquarium in Funchal
Funchal, Portugal

Diving in the Madeira Aquarium

Outty Ranking 75 5.0 · 216 traveler reviews2.5 hoursFrom $135

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$135
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Outty Ranking

75/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 216 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Diving in the Madeira Aquarium worth booking?

Diving in the Madeira Aquarium is a 2.5-hour experience in Funchal, Portugal, from $135 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 5/5 rating across 216 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
75 / 100
Rating
5/5 (216)
Duration
2.5 hours
From
$135 per person

Experience diving for people with or without experience, where we want to put the participants in contact with the species in the Madeira Aquarium, which include sharks, rays, morays and many more. With this experience,

What you get

    About this experience

    Experience diving for people with or without experience, where we want to put the participants in contact with the species in the Madeira Aquarium, which include sharks, rays, morays and many more. With this experience, participants can contact species that may be difficult to spot at sea, in a controlled environment, and still have the chance to be observed by family / friends as they perform the activity.

    What's included

    Included

    • Use of SCUBA equipment

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Funchal

    Meeting at the reception of the Madeira Aquarium

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Meeting at the reception of the Madeira Aquarium

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    pt, en, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
    Group size
    Up to 4 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Lava Diving Center

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Not suitable for those traveling by plane on the same day

    Photos

    Try dive (First experience in natural swimming pools)Diving in the aquariumDiving in the aquariumDiving in the aquariumDiving in the aquariumWood Aquarium

    Traveler reviews

    216 verified traveler reviews for Diving in the Madeira Aquarium. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    213
    4 star
    2
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    kevbV7783CG · September 2025

    Experience of a lifetime

    It's hard to put into words what a fantastic experience this is ! Full instructions given to us - first time Scuba divers. First 2 minutes are a strange sensation - getting your brain to understand that you can breathe underwater, and not have to go back up. But after that - WOW ! There are 2 x 4 foot long sharks. A 5 foot Grouper ( I think 🤔who sits on the bottom and allows you to stroke her ) and a 3 foot long Conger eel that also allows stroking and feels like velvet ! Then you swim along with shoals of other smaller fish - up and down in a huge aquarium 18 feet deep. Did I mention the big Ray ? That's quite a sight to swim near too also. I'd thoroughly recommend this activity. Are you a first time Scuba diver ? So were we. Now we aren't 1st timers and we will Scuba dive again in the future. 5 stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 without a doubt !

    via Tripadvisor

    rebedijk297 · August 2025

    Must Do experience

    What an amazing experience! Our 16y son went on his own with Abilio. Abilio was very patient and gave great explanation. Took us behind the scenes of the aquarium seeying that the tide was to high and the water to rough for the tidepools. Worth every cent! Must do for people jusg getting into diving.

    via Tripadvisor

    Charlene_R · July 2025

    Booked for a family of 4...

    Booked for a family of 4 on the basis that this activity was for a maximum of 4 people. On the day we arrived on time but were advised that they were running approximately 30 late and that another person was joining the group. This added around another 45 mins to the activity which meant a lot of waiting around wet & a little cold. On a positive note the instructor was great, particularly with the kids and overall it was a fab family experience

    via Viator

    ginao889 · May 2025

    Don't miss out: a must see & do in Madeira!

    Amazing experience & a must do in Madeira! I was nervous but Abilio was patient, kind & knowledgeable. I had an incredible time, saw all the fish up close and would recommend to anyone!

    via Tripadvisor

    Linnea_L · January 2025

    Memories for life

    A unique and memorable experience even for an experienced diver. Me and my daughter (who has no experience of diving) was extremely well taken care of and the instructor was very professional, kind and provided a strong sense of security. This was important to me as I wanted to give my daughter a soft and secure introduction to diving. I would highly recommend this experience.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    2.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    76
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 75

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)99
    Review evidence (18% weight)79
    Booking momentum (14% weight)75
    Value for money (12% weight)0
    Listing quality (10% weight)70
    Local standing (8% weight)73
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Diving in the Madeira Aquarium: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Funchal.

    How much does Diving in the Madeira Aquarium cost?

    +

    Prices start at $135 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Funchal usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Diving in the Madeira Aquarium take?

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    Plan for about 2.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Funchal is not rushed.

    Is Diving in the Madeira Aquarium worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 216 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Funchal, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Diving in the Madeira Aquarium?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Diving in the Madeira Aquarium suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Diving in the Madeira Aquarium?

    +

    Around 76 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Funchal can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Funchal and add a light layer if any part of the 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Diving in the Madeira Aquarium start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Funchal within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Funchal?

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    On Outty we rank every Funchal experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Jeep Tour Amazing West to Natural Pools -Full-Day, Porto Moniz, Seixal, Fanal Forest, Cliff Skywalk in Open Roof 4X4, West Tour-Fanal Forest & Porto Moniz Natural Pools Small Groups. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Funchal?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Funchal?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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