Garajau Marine Reserve – Madeira – Garajau & South Coast
Site Overview
Garajau is Madeira’s most famous dive, with the Christ of the Abyss statue at 16 m on a steep wall covered in anemones, sea fans and black coral. Large dusky groupers, barracuda, eagle rays and macro abound, by shore or boat. 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
"Descend to the Christ statue at 16 m and follow the wall, watching for groupers and eagle rays, 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. 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
Dusky Grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
Best: Year-round
Atlantic Barracuda
Sphyraena viridensis
Best: Year-round
Eagle Ray
Myliobatis aquila
Best: Year-round
Black Coral
Antipathella spp.
Best: Year-round
Moray Eel
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Mild current
- Boat traffic
- Sharp rocks
- Limited visibility after swell
- Sun exposure
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
A superb all-level Madeira dive, ideal for photographers and those wanting big groupers. 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
- Garajau Dive
- Madeira Dive
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro