Scuba Diving Albufeira-Double Dive Trip

Albufeira’s most useful feature for certified scuba enthusiasts is simple: you board at the marina and reach two sea sites by boat, rather than hauling gear over a long shore route. Easydivers Portugal keeps the outing to a small maximum of 10 people, with two guided sessions, surface briefings, and hot showers waiting back at base.

I like the clear safety routine, from certificate checks and medical forms to detailed briefings. I also like the practical setup: tanks and weights are included, bottled water is provided, and you can fill in your logbook before leaving the center.

The main catch is cost and water conditions. The advertised price is $101.59, but the suit, regulator, mask, gloves, boots, and fins cost an additional €20 at check-in unless you bring your own. Marine life can be pleasant rather than spectacular, and one account noted water around 15°C with roughly 5 meters of visibility.

Key points to know before you book

• Two boat outings from Albufeira Marina: You visit a first site, return to the boat, then move to a second site.
• Certified participants only: You need at least Open Water certification, swimming ability, and a completed health questionnaire.
• Up to 55 minutes underwater: The first session ends at 55 minutes or 60 bar, while the second lasts up to 50 minutes or 60 bar.
• Rental equipment costs extra: Tanks and weights are included, but the main personal kit is €20 unless you bring your own.
• Small group size: The boat and guide team can handle no more than 10 participants.
• Comfort after the sea: Hot showers and logbook details are available when you return to the center.

Two sea sites in one four-hour morning

This is not a full-day yacht outing. The schedule begins at 8:30 am at Easydivers Dive Center in Albufeira Marina and lasts about four hours. That makes it a good fit if you want time for lunch, a beach afternoon, or another activity.

After check-in, you sort out certification and medical paperwork. You then collect your assigned equipment, prepare it, and get ready at the center. If you bring your own kit, you can skip the rental preparation step, which may save time and reduce the chance of being given gear that does not fit your preferences.

The group then boards the boat with the Easydivers team. At the first site, the guide gives a briefing before anyone enters the water. The first session has a maximum time of 55 minutes or a 60-bar limit, depending on which comes first.

Once everyone is back on board, the crew reviews the first outing and explains the second site. This pause matters. It gives you a chance to report any equipment issue, ask about the next route, and settle your breathing before heading back into the water.

The second session lasts up to 50 minutes or 60 bar. The boat then returns to Albufeira Marina, where you can use a hot shower and collect the details needed for your logbook. The route is compact and efficient, with no wasted land transfers between separate locations.

What the Algarve water may show you

The underwater setting here is best approached with realistic expectations. The available information points to pleasant reef outings, but not a guaranteed parade of large animals or exceptional visibility.

One recorded outing at around 12 meters included octopuses, conger eels, a moray eel, cuttlefish, crabs, and a ray. That is a fine list for a coastal session, especially if you enjoy spotting smaller creatures and taking your time over rocky habitat.

At the same time, another account described limited fish variety. Water around 15°C and visibility of about 5 meters can also affect how much you see. Conditions in the Algarve change, so you should treat marine life and visibility as part of the day’s luck, not as fixed promises.

This is a better choice for someone who values a well-run morning on the water than for someone chasing dramatic walls, tropical color, or guaranteed encounters with big animals. The appeal is the chance to explore local coastal sites with a guide who knows where to look.

A safety process that helps less-frequent scuba participants

You must show your diver certificate at check-in. The minimum level is Open Water, so this is not a lesson for a person starting from zero.

You also complete an RTCW form and a medical questionnaire. This is normal international procedure, but it is worth taking seriously. Conditions such as asthma or heart problems may prevent you from taking part, so consult your doctor before booking if you have a relevant medical concern.

Swimming ability is required. Pregnant women and children under 10 years old, or under 1.40 meters in height, cannot join the activity. The operator also states that all participants must complete the health form before entering the water.

The safety structure is useful if you have certification but do not get underwater often. Fernando and Matias are identified as guides, and João handles the boat. Their work includes briefings before each session, a review between the two outings, and attention to different experience levels.

That matters because certified does not always mean recently active. One participant who described infrequent scuba use appreciated practical guidance, including help with a new dive computer. If you have not been in the water for some time, tell the team during check-in rather than trying to appear more experienced than you are.

The equipment question adds €20 to the price

The $101.59 cost covers the activity, taxes, fees, bottled water, professional guidance, tanks, and weights. It does not cover the suit, regulator, mask, gloves, boots, or fins.

Those items are available for an extra €20, paid at check-in. You can also bring your own equipment, which may be the better choice if you are particular about fit or already have a complete kit.

The extra charge is easy to miss when comparing the base price with other boat outings. Add it before deciding what represents good value. For a certified person without equipment, the real cost is the listed price plus €20, along with any personal food or drink you want later.

The available comments describe rental equipment as being in excellent condition, and the attached shop carries a range of scuba equipment at what was described as reasonable pricing. Still, ask about sizes and availability when booking if you need unusual equipment or a particular fit.

Food and drinks are not included, although bottled water is. Since the morning is only about four hours, most people can manage without a meal during the activity, but plan your own snack for afterward.

Why the small group limit matters

The maximum group size is 10 people. That is large enough to share the cost of a boat but small enough for guides to keep track of individual participants more easily than on a crowded commercial trip.

A smaller group can also make equipment checks, boarding, and briefings less frantic. It does not mean you receive a private guide or a one-to-one session, so keep that distinction in mind.

The center’s team handles both the shop and the boat operation. That gives you a single place for paperwork, equipment, instructions, showers, and logbook details. For a first visit to Albufeira, that simple flow is useful.

The meeting point is Easydivers Dive Center, Diving School, Marina de Albufeira, Passeio dos Oceanos, Lote 4, Loja 5, 8200-371 Albufeira, Portugal. The activity ends at the same point, and the marina is near public transportation.

A good fit for rusty certificate holders

I would consider this outing especially suitable for three types of people.

First, it works for certified Open Water participants who want two guided sessions without signing up for a course. You receive structured briefings, a guide, boat transport, and a clear time limit for each session.

Second, it suits infrequent scuba participants who want a little support before returning to open water. Tell the staff about your recent experience, and make good use of the equipment advice and pre-session checks.

Third, it fits an experienced person who already owns equipment and wants a straightforward morning around Albufeira. Bringing your own kit avoids the €20 rental charge and makes the preparation stage quicker.

I would be more cautious if you are looking for a dramatic marine spectacle. The available conditions suggest that you might see octopuses, eels, crabs, cuttlefish, or even a ray, but fish variety and visibility can be modest. This is coastal Portugal, not a tropical aquarium.

It is also not the right booking for anyone who cannot swim, has not reached Open Water certification, or has a medical condition that has not been cleared for scuba activity.

Timing, weather, and flight planning

The start time is 8:30 am. Arrive ready for paperwork and equipment preparation, rather than treating 8:30 as the moment to walk casually into the marina.

You should not fly within 48 hours after scuba activity. Build that buffer into your Algarve plans, especially if you are using Albufeira as a final stop before an international flight.

The outing depends on suitable weather. If poor weather cancels it, you can be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Missing the activity because of lateness or failing to show does not qualify for a refund, and changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted.

The reservation confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. Since the activity is often booked around three weeks ahead, I would not leave it until the last morning of a short Albufeira stay.

How the value compares with the effort

At $101.59 before the optional €20 equipment rental, this is not a bargain basement outing. But the price includes two boat departures, tanks, weights, a professional guide, bottled water, and use of the center’s post-session facilities.

The value improves if you plan to make full use of both underwater sessions. A single short boat outing would make the cost harder to justify, while two sessions of up to 55 and 50 minutes give you a substantial morning on the water, assuming your air supply, comfort, and conditions allow it.

You are also paying for organization. The center handles certification checks, forms, equipment assignment, boat transport, site briefings, the second-site changeover, showers, and logbook information. That is useful if you prefer not to arrange a boat, tanks, weights, and local site guidance separately.

The value drops if you already have another inexpensive way to reach the coast, or if cold water and limited visibility would spoil the day for you. Check the seasonal conditions and pack for the water rather than assuming Algarve sunshine means warm sea temperatures.

What happens after you climb out

The return to the marina is the final scheduled part of the outing. At the base center, hot showers are available, which is a welcome detail after a cool morning in the Atlantic.

You can then collect the details of your sessions and fill in your logbook. For certified participants, that record is more than a souvenir. It helps you keep track of sites, time, conditions, and experience for future scuba planning.

Souvenir photos are not included but can be purchased. Food and drinks beyond the supplied bottled water are also your responsibility.

The activity ends back at Easydivers, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer. That makes the morning easier to fit into a wider Albufeira itinerary.

My call: book it if you value guidance over spectacle

I would book this double-scuba trip if you are already certified, can swim, and want a tidy two-session morning with a small group and a professional local team. The strong points are the clear safety process, helpful guides, boat access to two sites, quality rental gear, hot showers, and logbook support.

Before paying, budget the extra €20 for the main rental kit unless you bring your own. Also accept that visibility, water temperature, and fish variety may be ordinary. If your priority is a carefully managed local outing with a fair amount of time underwater, it is a sensible choice. If you want guaranteed large marine life or warm tropical conditions, choose a different kind of sea trip.

FAQ

Who can take part in this scuba activity?

Certified scuba participants with at least Open Water certification can take part. Swimming ability is essential.

What time does the activity start?

The activity starts at 8:30 am.

Where do I meet the team?

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

Where does the activity finish?

It finishes back at the Easydivers meeting point in Albufeira Marina.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts approximately four hours.

How long are the two underwater sessions?

The first session 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 are not included in the listed price.

How much does rental equipment cost?

The listed rental equipment costs an additional €20 per person, paid at check-in. You may bring your own equipment instead.

Are children allowed to participate?

Children under 10 years old or under 1.40 meters in height are not allowed to participate.

Can I fly soon after the activity?

Flying within 48 hours after scuba activity is not recommended.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation deadline?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Late cancellations, late changes, missed bookings, and no-shows are not refunded.