---
title: "Funchal: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners"
lang: en
alternate_de: https://guidekin.com/de/portugal/funchal/tours/funchal-scuba-diving-experience-for-beginners/
type: tour
city: Funchal
country: Portugal
price: 45
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.84
reviews: 63
duration_minutes: 180
languages: [de, pt, en, es]
free_cancellation: "true"
rank_in_category: 12 of 20 (Funchal City Tours)
schedule_checked: 2026-09-02
data_updated: 2026-10-12
canonical: https://guidekin.com/portugal/funchal/tours/funchal-scuba-diving-experience-for-beginners/
---

# Funchal: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

**Guidekin's take:** A first dive with a certified instructor on the dive centre's own private reef, starting with a briefing and pool practice before the sea, with all equipment and insurance included. A pool only option exists; children under ten cannot dive and pickup is not included. 4.84 from 63 reviews at €45 per person for 3h.

In our comparison: #12 of 20 in Funchal City Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

Start the experience at the Madeira Divepoint, which boasts its own private reef. Following an introduction and safety briefing, practice breathing and floating in a pool to get familiar with the equipment.

To finish, head out to the reef to explore an incredible underwater world. Come face to face with colorful fish and striking coral as you enjoy the thrill of your first dive.

## Before you book

- Meeting point: The dive center is inside the Pestana…
- 4 start times: between 09:00 and 14:00
- Food not included: bring or buy your own
- Age 10+: Children under 10 years

**Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point

## Key facts

- Price: from €45 per person for the Pool Only - Discover Scuba option; other options up to €105
- Duration: 3h
- Rating: 4.84/5 from 63 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Operator: Madeira Divepoint
- Group: Shared tour
- Guide languages: German, Portuguese, English, Spanish
- Start times: 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-09-02

## Reviews

4.84 from 63 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
97% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 61 of 63.

- 5 stars: 58 (92%)
- 4 stars: 3 (5%)
- 3 stars: 0 (0%)
- 2 stars: 1 (2%)
- 1 star: 1 (2%)

### What reviewers say

Reviewers praise patient teaching and marine life; nervous beginners can still find the move from pool to sea daunting.

**Praised:**
- Detailed equipment briefings and pool practice before the sea dive
- Patient instructors help nervous beginners build confidence
- Close supervision and personal attention during the dive
- Fish, octopus and other marine life seen on introductory dives

**Complaints:**
- Some feel ready after pool practice, while others still find the sea dive daunting

Written by Guidekin from the 45 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2021-07-24 to 2026-09-03); last checked 2026-10-04.

## Tour options

Prices are the operator's current list price for two travellers (whole euros); options sold only to bigger parties say so; pick the option on the booking page.

| Option | Price | Guide languages | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool Only - Discover Scuba | €45 / person | German, Spanish, Portuguese, English | Duration: 2 hours |
| Scuba Diving with Ocean Dive | €95 / person | German, Spanish, Portuguese, English | Duration: 3 hours |
| Sunday Try Dive w/ Ocean Dive | €105 / person | German, Spanish, Portuguese, English | - |

## What's included

- Full Insurance
- Use of SCUBA equipment
- Dive in the sea (when Ocean Dive option is selected)
- Safety and training session
- PADI Instructor

## Not included

- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00
- Schedule last checked: 2026-09-02
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

## Meeting point

The dive center is inside the Pestana Carlton Hotel. Use the 2 elevators to go down to sea level to reach it.
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJi73Z3z9gYAwR00nfGGKCx90

Ends: back at the meeting point

## Good to know

- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- People with pre-existing medical conditions
- Children under 10 years

## Compared with other Funchal City Tours

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #12 of 20** | €45 | 3h | 4.84 (63) | shared |
| [Madeira Private Sunset Boat Tour from Funchal](/portugal/funchal/tours/madeira-private-sunset-boat-tour-from-funchal-2/?format=md) | €310 | 2h 30m | 4.99 (98) | private |
| [Coasteering Adventure with Snorkeling from Funchal](/portugal/funchal/tours/coasteering-adventure-with-snorkeling-from-funchal/?format=md) | €70 | 4h | 5.0 (82) | shared |
| [Private Tuk Tuk Tour to Old Town + Monte in Funchal](/portugal/funchal/tours/private-tuk-tuk-tour-to-old-town-monte-in-funchal/?format=md) | €40 | 50 min | 4.94 (131) | private |

Ranked #12 of 20 in Funchal City Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €16 to €310, median €45; typical length 2h 45m. 10 of 20 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/portugal/funchal/funchal/?format=md

## More in Funchal

- All Funchal tours: https://guidekin.com/portugal/funchal/?format=md
- This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/portugal/funchal/tours/funchal-scuba-diving-experience-for-beginners/

Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/portugal/funchal/?format=md