It’s clear an clean waters hide an extraordinary flora and fauna, including exotic species. Due to the volcanic origin of the islands a beautiful underwater landscape of caves, rocks and reefs has formed over the years, both near the coast and just a few minutes away by boats.
Diving centers, schools, baptisms, snorkeling, night diving, you will find all this in the archipelago of Madeira. Its mild climate favors diving all year round, complemented by excellent visibility and average water temperatures of around 19º C in winter and 25º C in summer.
For enthusiastic scuba divers, the coast of Garajau offers one of the first natural underwater reserves of Europe, in the south coast of Madeira Island. In the north coast you will find o Sitio da Rocha do Navio, also in a natural reserve area. In these two natural reserves, you will be able to observe and photograph a diversified, fauna and flora, characteristic of madeirian waters. |
Madeira Archipelago has 8 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) that occupy almost 3000 hectares, 29,4% of the Archipelago area. The main island, Madeira has 4 IBAs which are the Laurel Forest, the Central Mountainous Massif and the east and west extremes of the Island: Ponta de São Lourenço and Ponta do Pargo. The island of Porto Santo has 2 IBAs. The other inhabited islands are Desertas Islands and Selvagens Islands that have the 2 remaining bird areas.
Madeira Island is the perfect habitat fro three endemic species: Zino’s Petrel, Trocaz Pigeon and Madeira Firecrest. |
