Madeira – Garajau & South Coast

About Madeira – Garajau & South Coast

Madeira’s south coast centres on the Garajau Marine Reserve, home to the Christ of the Abyss statue and large dusky groupers on a black-coral wall. Reis Magos, Funchal Bay wrecks and the Ponta do Sol slopes add variety for all levels, while Cabo Girão offers a dramatic underwater cliff. Clear, mild water makes this a year-round Madeira favourite. This region rewards careful planning and respects marine-protection rules, offering rewarding diving for a range of Atlantic experience levels. This region rewards careful planning and respects Portuguese marine-protection rules, offering rewarding diving for a range of Atlantic experience levels. This region rewards careful planning and respects Portuguese marine-protection rules, offering rewarding diving for a range of Atlantic experience levels.

Highlights

• ✓Garajau Marine Reserve: the Christ of the Abyss statue and large groupers on a black-coral wall.
• ✓Funchal Bay wrecks: the Bowbelle and Madeirense artificial reefs.
• ✓Reis Magos: a sloping reef with groupers, nudibranchs and cuttlefish.
• ✓Cabo Girão: a steep underwater cliff with black coral and occasional manta.
• ✓Ponta do Sol: shallow reefs with seahorses and the Fábrica wreck.

Getting There

Fly into Madeira Airport (FNC) near Funchal, then dive by boat or from the Garajau cable car / Caniço shore. Most centres are based in Funchal and Caniço.