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Garajau

This dive site is renowned as one of the top attractions for divers visiting Madeira Island in Portugal. Situated approximately 100 meters off the shore, it offers an exceptional underwater experience. The sea bed is predominantly sandy, adorned with magnificent rock formations that serve as a natural sanctuary for the notable Dusky grouper.

Encountering Dusky groupers and rays is virtually guaranteed here, making it an enticing prospect for divers of all skill levels. However, it is important to remain cautious of the currents when diving from the shore.

Interestingly, Dusky groupers have been known to approach divers in search of some affectionate interaction. Although this behavior is not actively encouraged, it does occur and can be quite irresistible. In addition to these charismatic groupers, divers will have the opportunity to witness schools of various species such as bogues, trumpet fish, and sea breams. The summer months also attract massive stingrays to this site for their reproductive purposes. Grunts, salemas, and barracuda further enrich the diverse marine life that can be recorded in your logbook.

With a visibility of 16 meters and a maximum depth of 23 meters, this dive site offers optimal conditions for both beginner and advanced divers. So, whether you're just starting your underwater exploration or seeking new adventures, this location has something remarkable to offer.

For those planning their visit, the dive site is conveniently located at 054, Estrada do Cristo Rei, Garajau, Caniço, Santa Cruz, Madeira, 9125-058, Portugal. Prepare for an unforgettable diving experience amidst the wonders of the deep blue sea.

Diving Conditions Score for Garajau

7.4
Good

Good diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Garajau

Depth

23m

Visibility

16m

Experience Level

beginner
advanced

Weather Conditions for Garajau

Wave Height

0.74m

Wind Speed

3.3 m/s

Water Temp

22.2°C

Visibility

37.16km

Cloud Cover

23%

Wave Period

7.25s

Air Temperature

19.8°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Garajau
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Garajau

Best time to dive: 8:00 with score 9.08496936936937/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.7m, Wind 1.3 m/s.Best night dive time: 22:00 with score 8.513677777777778/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Garajau: 06:00
Sunset at Garajau: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Garajau are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
8:00

Score: 9.1/10
Waves: 0.7m (7.4s), Wind: 1.3 m/s

🌙
Best Night
22:00

Score: 8.5/10
Waves: 0.7m, Wind: 1.8 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Garajau
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Garajau

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for Garajau

Winter

Avg. Score: 8.9/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for Garajau

January
Score: 9.1
February
Score: 9.0
November
Score: 9.0

Ideal Conditions for Garajau

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

22.2°C / 72.0°F

July

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

18.0m / 59.1ft

November

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

0.7m / 2.3ft

November

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Garajau

Garajau shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (22.2°C) and January the coldest (13.0°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in November with average wave heights of 0.7m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in November with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). July is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during November to January, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 23, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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