Ponta do Sol / Calheta – Madeira – Garajau & South Coast
Site Overview
Ponta do Sol and Calheta offer shallow sloping reefs with macro life, seahorses, pipefish and the remains of the Fábrica fish-processing plant. A relaxed Madeira shore dive for all levels. 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. 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
"Enter from the shore and follow the reef, searching the seagrass for seahorses and pipefish, 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
Seahorse
Hippocampus hippocampus
Best: Year-round
Pipefish
Syngnathus acus
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch
Chromodoris spp.
Best: Year-round
Moray Eel
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Wrasse
Labridae
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Mild current
- Sharp rocks
- Limited visibility after swell
- Sun exposure
- Boat traffic
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Ideal for open-water divers, training and macro photographers after seahorses. It suits beginners and families. 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
- Calheta Dive
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro