Madeira.

[Kalahari Diver]

Just got back from Madeira, dived a lot less than we had hoped because for the first time ever I had ear problems after the flight. I tend to like to dive a bit and chill quite a bit, but this was ridiculous. In the end only got in three dives!!

We dived with Madeira Divepoint in Funchal and they were very helpful and efficient but they didn't have an ear wand. To fill a bit of the time we did the PADI nitrox course, 50euros for the course so it would have been rude not to.

Dive 1.

Shore dive off the pier below the hotel where they are based. Max 12m. but the viz was about 30m. [or almost as good as Anglesey on a bad day] There was a moderate amount to see, starfish, gurnards, nudibranches, cuttlefish, bream, lots of various urchins and octopus. We spent a bit of time dawdling up and down an expanse of sand as apparently there are often rays there but none that day.

Dive 2.

Pretty much a repeat of 1 but we stayed away from the sand [so it was probably full rays] and tended to see more fish life amongst the rocks.

Dive 3.

Off a boat in the marine reserve at Garajau. This was about 28m. max with excellent viz. Very good fish life, most of the ordinary stuff, a couple of groupers, one about 3feet and the other probably nearer 4. Barracuda, shoals of sardines etc. Wasn't so aware of the crawly stuff but it was probably there but I find I tend to sort of look at the fish or the small slow stuff but not both.

The minimum water temperature I saw was 23c so a 3mm suit was fine. I did have a shorty to put over the top and might have used that if I had been able to dive more and been more subject to chilling. The diving was good but not challenging. There was a very slight current at Garajau but nothing to worry a U.K. diver.

I would recommend the dive operation and the diving providing you weren't wanting a bigger challenge. Very relaxing as part of a break. The wine is good too.

David.

[CotoChris]

I've been curiopus about Madeira. Most divers here go to Porto Santo the island nearby. Out of curiosity how much were the dives?

What did you think of the island? Is it a 'cotton top' haven?

[Kalahari Diver]

It is a bit of a fogey place in some ways. I think a guided dive was 22 euros, but I can't be sure. All the prices are on their web site. What is mean't by "cotton top" so I can give a real reply.

David.