Porto Moniz: Diving with Sharks and Rays in Madeira Aquarium

The unusual draw here is clear: you can swim inside Madeira Aquarium’s main tank with sharks, rays, mantas, and other fish without holding a scuba certificate. The three-hour session begins with instruction and practice in a natural ocean pool, then moves indoors under the close care of an instructor.

I like the small groups of up to four, which gives the guide time to work at your pace. I also like the behind-the-scenes visit to the aquarium’s technical zone, where you see how the water is filtered and how the animals are cared for. The main consideration is that the aquarium tank is not huge, so this is a close animal encounter rather than a long open-water swim.

Key points to know before booking

• Swim with sharks and rays in the main aquarium tank: The animals are close enough to see clearly, and some participants have even been able to touch certain fish under instruction.
• Start in natural ocean pools: You get time to handle the equipment, practise breathing, and find your balance before entering the aquarium.
• Abílio is the named instructor: He speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French, and is especially helpful with first-timers and nervous participants.
• See the aquarium behind the scenes: The technical-zone visit explains filtration and day-to-day animal care.
• Bring swimwear and a towel: You will use both the natural pools and the aquarium facilities.
• Plan around the safety rules: You must be at least 10, cannot be pregnant or have a cold, and should not fly on the day of the session.

Why this Porto Moniz activity is different

Porto Moniz is best known for its volcanic bathing pools and dramatic coast, but this activity gives you a very different way to meet Madeira’s sea life. Instead of hoping to spot a shark or ray offshore, you enter a controlled aquarium setting where the animals are already nearby.

That makes this a good first scuba-style experience. You do not need certification, and you are not expected to arrive knowing how to assemble or manage the equipment. The session is built around learning the basics, getting comfortable in the water, and then trying the main tank when you are ready.

I would not book this expecting a large-scale underwater expedition. The main tank is relatively small, and the whole activity lasts three hours, including the aquarium tour, technical visit, briefing, pool practice, and tank session. The reward is not distance. It is the chance to watch marine animals at close range in a setting where you can concentrate on staying calm and looking around.

The three-hour schedule at Aquário da Madeira

You meet at Aquário da Madeira in Porto Moniz and show your voucher to the staff. There is no food or drink included, so plan to eat before or after the activity rather than expecting a meal during the session.

The order can vary slightly with the group, but the day usually combines four main parts:

• A guided tour of the aquarium
• A visit and briefing in the technical zone
• An introduction to scuba equipment in a natural ocean pool
• A supervised session in the main aquarium tank

That mix is one of the strongest parts of the booking. You are not simply handed equipment and sent into the water. You first learn what you are looking at and how the aquarium operates, then get practical instruction before the main event.

Start with the aquarium tour

The guided aquarium visit gives you a useful introduction to the animals before you meet them underwater. You can expect to learn about the fish and crustaceans kept at the aquarium, as well as species associated with Madeira’s surrounding waters.

This matters because the tank session becomes more interesting when you know what to watch for. Instead of seeing a blur of fins, you can pay attention to the different shapes, movements, and behavior of the animals around you.

The aquarium portion also gives non-participants something to enjoy. If a friend or family member is not entering the water, they can still take part in the visitor-center portion and watch from the viewing area during the tank session. One parent was able to stay close to a child entering the water and then take photos and video from the main viewing area.

Behind the scenes in the technical zone

The technical-zone visit is a welcome addition. You get an explanation of how the aquarium’s water is filtered and how the staff help keep the animals healthy and comfortable.

For me, this is the part that gives the activity some substance beyond a quick photo opportunity. Aquariums depend on careful water management, and seeing the working side of the facility helps you understand what is required to keep sharks, rays, mantas, and smaller fish in good condition.

Do not expect a long engineering tour. It is part of a three-hour program, not a separate technical workshop. Still, it adds useful context and makes the aquarium feel like a living system rather than just a series of viewing tanks.

Practise in the natural ocean pools

Before entering the aquarium tank, you receive a briefing on the equipment and basic underwater skills. You then practise in the natural ocean pools near the aquarium.

This is especially valuable if you have never used scuba equipment. You can learn how the mask, regulator, and other gear feel in the water, work on breathing, and get used to moving while wearing the equipment. The natural pools also provide a gentler first step than going straight into the main tank.

The instructors aim to work at your pace. If you are relaxed and have previous experience, you may move through this stage quickly. If you are nervous, you can use the pool time to settle your breathing and gain confidence before continuing.

That patience is a major reason this activity suits beginners. Several people had never tried scuba before, and the instruction was broken into manageable stages. Abílio has been especially praised for staying calm, explaining each step clearly, and using humor without making anyone feel rushed.

The pools are natural ocean pools, not a heated training pool. Bring suitable swimwear, a towel, and beachwear, and be ready for an outdoor water session before the indoor aquarium visit.

Enter the main tank with an instructor

Once you are comfortable with the equipment, you enter the aquarium’s main tank with your instructor. This is the highlight, but it works best because of the preparation beforehand.

You may see sharks, rays, mantas, and a range of other fish at close range. The animals are difficult to spot reliably during ordinary sea swimming, so the controlled setting gives you a rare chance to observe them without needing advanced scuba skills.

The instructor remains with you throughout the tank session. That is important for first-timers, children, and anyone who feels uneasy about breathing underwater. The goal is not to test your technical ability. It is to help you stay safe, calm, and aware of the animals around you.

Some participants have been able to touch certain fish during the session. Treat this as a possibility, not a promise. Animal behavior can change, and any contact must follow the guide’s instructions. The best approach is to watch first and let the animals determine how close they come.

The tank is not enormous. One person described it as a little small, and that is a fair point to keep in mind. You will not cover a large underwater area or spend hours exploring. On the other hand, the limited space keeps the animals close and makes it easier to see them clearly.

What Abílio adds to the session

The named instructor, Abílio, receives especially strong praise for his manner with beginners. He speaks English well and also works in Portuguese, Spanish, and French.

His role is more than simply showing you how to use the equipment. He explains the fish, answers questions about Madeira’s marine life, and watches how each person is coping in the water. His calm approach is useful if you arrive excited but nervous.

Families have found this particularly helpful. A 10-year-old child who was initially anxious was guided through the activity in stages and finished feeling proud. Another family, including a grandmother, described the session as comfortable and fun from start to finish.

I would still treat the minimum age as a firm practical guide, not just a number. Children must be at least 10, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Young participants need to feel comfortable following instructions and wearing the equipment. The instructor can support a nervous child, but no one should feel pressured to continue.

Is $159 a fair price?

At $159 per person, this is not a budget aquarium visit. You are paying for a three-hour program that combines a guided tour, technical-zone access, equipment, instruction, natural-pool practice, and a supervised main-tank session.

The value depends on what you are comparing it with. If you only want to see Madeira’s fish, a standard aquarium admission would cost less. If you want a first scuba experience without certification, plus close access to animals that are hard to find in the open sea, the price is more defensible.

The small group helps. With a maximum of four participants, the instructor has more time to adjust the pace and help with equipment. A larger group could make the session feel more like a scheduled demonstration. Here, the format is more personal.

I also like that the price includes the equipment. You do not need to arrange tanks, masks, regulators, or other essential gear yourself. Food and drinks are not included, but that is easy to plan around during a three-hour visit.

Who should book this?

This is a strong choice if you:

• Have never tried scuba and want a supervised introduction
• Feel nervous about open-water scuba
• Want to see sharks, rays, and mantas at close range
• Are visiting Porto Moniz and want more than the natural pools
• Are looking for a memorable family activity for children aged 10 and up
• Enjoy learning how an aquarium operates behind the public displays
• Have a friend or relative who wants to watch rather than enter the water

It also suits certified or experienced participants who want something easy and unusual. If you already scuba regularly, the instruction may feel basic, but the aquarium setting still gives you a different kind of animal encounter.

I would skip it if you dislike being in enclosed water spaces, have a cold, are pregnant, or have a medical restriction that prevents sports such as scuba. You also need to avoid flying on the same day for safety reasons. Build this into your Madeira schedule rather than placing it just before a flight.

Practical advice for a smooth visit

Wear swimwear and bring a towel. Beachwear is also listed as useful, since the activity includes time in natural ocean pools.

Allow the full three hours. The pool practice and briefing are not filler. They are what make the aquarium session workable for beginners. Arriving with the attitude that you must get into the main tank immediately misses the point of the program.

If you are nervous, say so early. The instructor can then give you more time with the equipment and help you work through the first steps. Several people who arrived worried ended up completing the tank session because they were not pushed too quickly.

If photography matters to you, check with the staff about what is allowed. A person staying outside the tank has been able to take photos and video from the viewing area, but the supplied information does not promise that participants can carry cameras into the water.

Booking is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours beforehand for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Starting times vary, so check the available slot before building the rest of your day around it.

My recommendation

I would book this if you want a gentle first taste of scuba and prefer a controlled setting to open water. The combination of natural-pool practice, a small group, patient instruction, and close animal encounters gives the activity real value.

I would be more cautious if you are an experienced diver looking for a long or technically demanding underwater session. The tank is compact, and the focus is on confidence and access rather than distance.

For families, nervous beginners, and anyone fascinated by sharks and rays, this is one of the more distinctive things to do in Porto Moniz. Just bring a towel, leave room in your schedule, and remember that the best part is not rushing into the tank. It is learning enough to feel comfortable once you are there.

FAQ

Do I need a scuba certificate?

No. The activity includes a briefing, equipment instruction, and practice in a natural ocean pool before the supervised session in the main aquarium tank.

How old must participants be?

Participants must be at least 10 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.

What languages does the instructor speak?

Instruction is available in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French. Abílio is specifically named as an instructor who speaks English.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and beachwear. Food and drinks are not included.

Can I fly on the day of the activity?

No. For safety reasons, you should not travel by plane on the same day as the session.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with a cold, or people with medical restrictions that prevent sports such as scuba.