Scuba Diving Albufeira-Double Dive Trip

Albufeira’s best underwater access is by boat, and this half-day outing gets you from the marina to two coastal sites without wasting time on a long shore approach. You’ll complete two guided sessions, each lasting up to 55 minutes or 60 bar, with a professional team that includes guides Fernando and Matias and captain João.

I like the small maximum group of 10, which should make briefings and personal help easier. I also like the practical setup: tanks and weights are included, rental equipment is available, and hot showers wait back at the centre. The main catch is that the advertised price does not include the suit, regulator, mask, gloves, boots, or fins. Plan on another €20 if you need the full kit.

Key points to know

• Two boat-based underwater sessions: Visit two sites from Albufeira Marina, with up to 55 minutes in the water on the first session and 50 minutes on the second.
• Certified participants only: You need at least an Open Water certificate, swimming ability, and a completed health questionnaire.
• Helpful professional crew: Fernando and Matias guide in the water, while João handles the boat.
• Bring your own equipment to save money: Tanks and weights are included, but the main personal kit costs an extra €20 to rent.
• Marine life can be rewarding but conditions vary: Octopus, conger eels, moray eels, cuttlefish, crabs, and rays have been seen, though fish variety may be modest.
• Easy finish: Return to the marina for hot showers and help completing your logbook.

Starting at Easydivers in Albufeira Marina

Your morning begins at 8:30 am at Easydivers, at Marina de Albufeira, Passeio dos Oceanos, Lote 4, Loja 5. The marina location is convenient because the boat is nearby, and the whole activity begins and ends at the same point.

Allow time for registration rather than arriving at the last second. You’ll show your certification card, complete an RTCW form, and answer a medical questionnaire. This is standard international procedure, but it matters here because the activity is for certified participants only. The minimum qualification is Open Water.

The staff then assign equipment and help you prepare. If you bring your own kit, this step is shorter. If you rent, the centre supplies the tanks and weights as part of the price, while the suit, regulator, mask, gloves, boots, and fins cost an additional €20.

That extra charge is easy to miss when comparing prices. At $101.59 per person, the trip is reasonably priced for a four-hour boat outing with two sessions, tanks, weights, guiding, and bottled water. But the real cost is closer to the advertised amount plus €20 if you need all the listed rental items.

Boat access to two Albufeira sites

After the equipment check, you board with the professional crew and head to the first site. Boat access is one of the strongest features of this trip. You avoid a long walk with heavy gear and can reach coastal locations that are not practical from the beach.

A safety and site briefing takes place before entering the water. This is where you’ll learn what to expect, review the plan, and get a sense of how the group will work together. The crew has experience supporting different ability levels, including people who are certified but have not been underwater for some time.

The first session lasts a maximum of 55 minutes or until your tank pressure reaches 60 bar. The pressure limit comes first, so the exact time depends on your air use and the conditions. After returning to the boat, the crew discusses the first session and explains the second site.

You then have a second session, limited to 50 minutes or 60 bar. The boat returns to Albufeira Marina afterward. In total, the schedule takes about four hours, though exact water time depends on air consumption, sea conditions, and the site plan.

What you may see below the surface

The Algarve is not being sold here as a tropical aquarium, and that is important to understand. The area can offer enjoyable encounters with local Atlantic marine life, but the selection and visibility change with the season and weather.

One particularly productive account describes octopus, conger eels, moray eels, cuttlefish, crabs, and even a ray at a site no deeper than 12 metres. That is a fine list for a relatively shallow session, especially if you enjoy searching carefully among rocks rather than waiting for large animals to pass by.

At the same time, you should keep your expectations measured. Fish variety may be limited, and one assessment noted a water temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius and visibility of roughly five metres. Those conditions are not unusual for the area, but they can make the water feel cold and reduce the sense of open space.

A suitable wetsuit is therefore more than a comfort item. It can make the difference between enjoying the second session and spending it thinking about the cold. If you are bringing your own equipment, check that it suits cooler Atlantic water. If you rent, confirm the €20 equipment charge when checking in.

Guidance for new or infrequent certified participants

You must already be certified, but you do not need to be a highly experienced participant. The crew gives briefings before each session and offers help based on individual ability.

That is useful if you earned your Open Water qualification some time ago and have not been underwater recently. One experienced participant received advice throughout the outing and help using a new computer. Another appreciated support while getting comfortable in open water.

I would tell an infrequent participant to be honest during check-in. Mention when you last used your certification, what equipment you know well, and anything that makes you uneasy. The staff can only provide useful support if they understand your background.

The group limit of 10 is another practical advantage. It does not guarantee a private guide, but it keeps the outing from feeling like a large cattle call. The crew can focus on safety, equipment, and the different comfort levels in the group.

Swimming ability is essential. You also need to complete the health form, and some existing conditions, including asthma and heart problems, may prevent participation. If you have a medical concern, consult your doctor before booking rather than waiting until the morning of the activity.

Pregnant women and children younger than 10, or shorter than 1.40 metres, are not permitted. The experience is designed for certified adult participants who can manage themselves in the water.

Equipment choices and the real price

The equipment policy is straightforward once you separate what is included from what is not. Tanks and weights are included, along with bottled water, taxes, handling charges, and a professional guide.

The following items cost an additional €20:

• Suit
• Regulator
• Mask
• Gloves
• Boots
• Fins

Bring your own equipment if you want to save this fee and speed up preparation. That option is especially useful if you prefer a familiar regulator or mask. It also lets you avoid adjusting to rental equipment on the morning.

If you rent, the centre has been described as providing equipment in good condition, and the attached shop carries a useful range of gear at reasonable prices. Still, ask exactly what the €20 includes before you pay. The wording indicates that it covers the listed items, while tanks and weights are already part of the booking.

At $101.59, the outing offers fair value for someone who wants two guided boat sessions without arranging separate transport or equipment support. It is less attractive if you only want a brief underwater experience, are not certified, or already have a cheaper local boat option. The price makes more sense when you use both sessions and take advantage of the guidance.

Professional routines from check-in to logbook

The strongest part of the experience is its organization. Check-in, medical paperwork, equipment preparation, boat boarding, site briefing, two sessions, hot showers, and logbook completion follow a clear order.

That structure reduces the small stresses that can spoil a morning on the water. You know where to go, when to prepare, and what happens after each session. The boat crew and shop staff also share responsibility, so help is available both on land and at sea.

The briefings are a meaningful safety feature, not filler. The first explains the site before you enter. The second includes a discussion of the earlier session and a plan for the next one. That gives you a chance to raise concerns, adjust equipment, or ask about your air use before returning to the water.

Back at the centre, hot showers are available. This is particularly welcome after a cool morning in Atlantic water. Staff also provide the details of your sessions so you can complete your logbook properly, a small but useful touch if you keep formal records.

Photos are not included, though souvenir images are available to purchase. Food and drinks are also not included, so plan your breakfast and post-activity meal separately. Bottled water is provided.

The practical timing and cancellation rules

The meeting time is 8:30 am, and the activity lasts about four hours. It ends back at Easydivers in the marina, with no separate return transfer to arrange.

The tour is offered in English and has mobile ticketing. Public transport is nearby. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so avoid making non-refundable plans around it until your place is confirmed.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. A late cancellation or no-show is not refunded, and changes made inside the 24-hour window are not accepted.

Weather matters. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. Do not schedule this for the day before a flight, either. Flying within 48 hours after scuba activity is not recommended.

Who should book this Albufeira outing?

I would choose this for a certified participant who wants a simple morning on the water and values professional help more than a guaranteed spectacle. It suits a pair of friends, a small group, or someone returning to the sport after time away.

It is also a good match if you are staying in Albufeira and want boat access without renting a car or organizing a separate marina transfer. The single meeting point keeps the morning easy.

You may want another option if you are seeking abundant tropical-style marine life, warm water, or guaranteed long visibility. The Algarve can offer octopus, rays, eels, cuttlefish, and smaller creatures, but conditions can be cool and visibility modest.

This is not a lesson for beginners. You need a certification, must know how to swim, and must pass the health screening. If you have never completed an Open Water course, this is not the right booking.

Should you book it?

Book this outing if you are certified, comfortable with Atlantic conditions, and want two guided sessions from Albufeira Marina. The professional staff, small group limit, careful briefings, hot showers, and logbook support add real value.

Before paying, budget the extra €20 for rental equipment unless you bring your own suit and kit. Also check the weather forecast and leave at least 48 hours between the activity and any flight.

My call: this is a sound choice for practical, well-managed underwater time in the Algarve. Choose it for good organization and helpful guidance, not for tropical water or guaranteed clouds of fish.

FAQ

Is this activity suitable for beginners?

No. It is for certified participants only, with a minimum Open Water qualification. You must also know how to swim.

What time does the activity start?

Check-in begins for the 8:30 am start at Easydivers in Albufeira Marina.

Where do I meet the team?

Meet at Easydivers Dive Center, Marina de Albufeira, Passeio dos Oceanos, Lote 4, Loja 5, 8200-371 Albufeira, Portugal.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately four hours, including preparation, the boat trip, two sessions, and the return to the centre.

How long are the two underwater sessions?

The first lasts up to 55 minutes or until 60 bar. The second lasts up to 50 minutes or until 60 bar.

What equipment is included?

Tanks and weights are included. The suit, regulator, mask, gloves, boots, and fins cost an additional €20 if you rent them.

Can I bring my own equipment?

Yes. Bringing your own equipment avoids the rental preparation step and the extra €20 equipment charge.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also lead to another date or a full refund.