Portugal

Dive Site: Azul House reef

0–14 mBeginner Reef
© EsriSource: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar, GIS Community · Labels © Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS

Which liveaboards dive Azul House reef?

About Azul House reef

Azul House Reef is a conveniently accessible dive site located in Madeira, Portugal, a few steps from a dive shop. It features a solid concrete jetty with stairs and handrails, offering an easy entry and exit point for divers in a bay sheltered from wind. This site is valued for its gentle conditions, making it an excellent location for both new and experienced divers, as well as for night dives. The underwater topography presents a varied landscape of volcanic rock, sand channels, and boulder fields, alongside small cave or cavern-like features. These structures create diverse habitats and a visually engaging dive profile, with depths reaching up to 14 meters (45 feet). It's primarily a shore entry site, offering a relaxed and scenic underwater exploration. The mixed rocky and sandy bottom supports a rich array of marine life, including octopuses, cuttlefish, barracudas, stingrays, eagle rays, and moray eels. Common sightings also include seahorses and trumpetfish. The site's year-round accessibility, especially during warmer, calmer months, enhances the likelihood of comfortable and rewarding encounters with these species. Diving here typically involves shore entry, often facilitated by a jetty, making it straightforward for most certification levels. The site is frequently used for training and orientation dives due to its easy conditions. It is described as a relaxed experience, suitable for exploring its varied marine ecosystems, and can be enjoyed multiple times.

Highlights

Volcanic rock formationsSandy channelsEasy shore entryOctopus and cuttlefishMoray eels and stingraysSmall caves and cavernsNight diving appealSheltered bay conditions

Season calendar

Best months to dive here
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Excellent
Good
Off-Season

Jul – Oct (Summer/Autumn)

Best visibility 20–30m, warmest water 21–24°C. Blue sharks, mobula rays, whale sharks. Peak pelagic season at offshore sites.

Apr – Jun & Nov (Shoulder)

Improving/declining conditions. Water cooling but still diveable. Fewer pelagics but good reef life.

Dec – Mar (Winter)

Cold water 16–18°C, rough Atlantic swells, reduced visibility. Limited dive operations. Only for experienced cold-water divers.

Dive site facts: Azul House reef

Depth
0–14 m
Current
Mild
Entry
Liveaboard or dayboat
Level
Beginner
Dive type
Reef, Muck diving
Region / port
Portugal
Coordinates
32.6359° N, 16.9078° W

Conditions & Currents

This site typically features a straightforward shore profile without strong currents, making it a relaxed diving experience. Entry and exit are facilitated by a solid concrete jetty equipped with stairs and handrails, providing easy access to the water. The sheltered nature of the bay helps minimize surface chop and surge, contributing to consistently calm conditions. Visibility is generally good, allowing for clear views of the diverse marine life and topography. Given these benign conditions, the site is well-suited for all certification levels, including beginners, and requires no specialized current-related dive planning.

Why dive Azul House reef from a liveaboard?

Azul House reef is one of Portugal's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.

Below are the liveaboards that include Azul House reef on their Portugal itineraries.

Liveaboards diving Azul House reef

These liveaboards may visit Azul House reef on selected itineraries, the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Water And Wind liveaboard at Azul House reef

Water And Wind

Portugal

8 guests13 m

Dive sites similar to Azul House reef

Same character, same waters, six more sites divers love for the exact same reasons.Compare seasons, access and liveaboard routes, then pick the site that fits your trip best.
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Abdi Reis

Turkey

Abdi Reis is a highly regarded dive site situated near the Datça Peninsula in Turkey's Aegean Sea, specifically located within Abdi Reis Cove, near Yildiz Island.

Suitable for
Intermediate
Current
Moderate
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
≤ 33 m
Theme
Reef / Wall
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Adabanko Reef is an inviting dive site situated approximately two kilometers off the coast of Kuşadası in Turkey's Aegean Sea.

Suitable for
Beginner
Current
Moderate
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
5–40 m
Theme
Reef
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Adakule Cave is a notable boat-access dive site located near Kuşadası, Turkey, offering an engaging experience centered around two distinct underwater caverns.

Suitable for
Beginner
Current
Mild
Access
Dayboat
Depth
9–30 m
Theme
Cave & cavern
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Afkule Cave, also referred to by some as Aladdin's Cave, is consistently ranked among the top dive sites in Turkey, particularly renowned for its cave diving opportunities.

Suitable for
Intermediate
Current
Moderate
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
≤ 50 m
Theme
Cave & cavern / Wall
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Afkule Monastery Reef, prominently known as Afkule Wall, stands as a distinguished dive destination along Turkey's southwestern coast, close to Fethiye.

Suitable for
Intermediate
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
6–40 m
Theme
Wall
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Air cave

Turkey

Air Cave is a distinctive natural formation located along Turkey's Mediterranean Riviera, near Kemer.

Suitable for
Advanced
Current
Mild
Access
Dayboat
Depth
≤ 12 m
Theme
Cave & cavern / Cavern

Dive Azul House reef from a liveaboard.

Three to four guided dives a day on Azul House reef and the other signature sites in Portugal, sleeping right above the reef.