Arrábida Marine Park (Sesimbra) – Mainland – Lisbon / Cascais / Arrábida
Site Overview
Arrábida Marine Park near Sesimbra has spectacular limestone walls, dense gorgonians and sea fans, large groupers, octopus and nudibranchs. Key sites include Pedra do Meio, Gorgónia, Cova do Frade and Baixa da Arrábida, with visibility often 10-20 m. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Portuguese marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery and rich marine life.
Dive Briefing
"Boat to the site and descend the limestone wall, exploring Pedra do Meio pinnacle or the Cova do Frade cave swim-through, then ascend with a safety stop. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable."
Signature Marine Life
Gorgonian Coral
Paramuricea clavata
Best: Year-round
Dusky Grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
Best: Year-round
Octopus
Octopus vulgaris
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch
Chromodoris spp.
Best: Year-round
Moray Eel
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Mild current
- Sharp limestone
- Boat traffic
- Limited visibility after rain
- Sun exposure
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
A superb all-level mainland dive, ideal for photographers and those wanting walls and macro. It suits families and intermediates. It suits confident Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance and who plan their trips around the best seasonal windows. It suits confident Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance and who plan their trips around the best seasonal windows. It suits confident Atlantic divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance and who plan their trips around the best seasonal windows.
For Non-Divers
Non-divers can enjoy boat trips, coastal walks and local cuisine while divers explore the site.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Arrábida Dive
- Sesimbra Divers
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro