TRAVEL
Madeira & Porto Santo: Portugal’s Fresh Group Travel Destination
by Amber Wagenknecht , Executive Editor and Chief Reporter, TX Underwater Photos by Andrew Patterson of Deep Blue Adventures
F OR DIVE RETAILERS, instructors and travel planners, the search for new group travel destinations is constant. Customers want something fresh, safe, beautiful and memorable, while dive professionals need reliable logistics, compelling underwater experiences, strong topside activities and partners who understand hosted group travel. That combination is exactly what I found during my recent trip to Madeira and Porto Santo, Portugal, with support from Portugal Dive, Visit Madeira and the Madeira Pro- motion Bureau. I experienced the destination not only as a diver, but through the lens of a dive profes- sional asking a specific question: Could this work for dive groups? The answer is yes. After arriving at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport from Lisbon, our group was welcomed by Rubina Vieira and transferred by Lux Madeira to Hotel Porto Mare, our base on Madeira. From the start, the itinerary demonstrated how the islands can support both divers and non-diving companions through a mix of ocean access, culture, food, scenery and well-organized transportation.
and cultural site that could easily become a favorite stop on a group itinerary. From there, we experienced the traditional Monte sled ride with Carreiros do Monte, a uniquely Madeiran adventure that is both historic and fun. The day ended with dinner at
Nini Design Centre with our host, Francisco from the Madeira Pro- motion Bureau. Located in an old pirate fort overlooking the harbor, the setting became part of the sto- ry. The diving began with Manta Diving Madeira, where I joined Stefan, Cityka and dive guide Nuno Jesus for a shore dive on
Mutated Fire Worm
the house reef. The site is located just offshore in a protected nature reserve, making it convenient and accessible without sacrificing marine life or underwater scenery. The dive reached about 63 feet and featured boulders, sand channels and a formation known as The Fingers. We en- countered cuttlefish, an octopus with eggs, Esmeralda the eel and two rays playing together. The experience showed the importance of a knowledgeable local operator. Shore diving may be simple in concept, but site knowledge, timing,
briefings and good guiding deter- mine whether visiting divers un- derstand what makes a reef spe- cial.
Cordeca Corveta’s 40mm AA Guns
One of the early highlights was a full topside day in Funchal, Madeira’s capital. Our group included our guide Arlindo Serrão, Linda Ferw- erda, Stefanie Hartdegen and An- drew Patterson, and the day gave us an immediate sense of how much there is to do beyond the water. After breakfast at Hotel Porto Mare,
The next chapter took us from Porto do Funchal to Porto do Porto Santo aboard the Lobo Mar- inho with Porto Santo Line. The ferry was more than transportation. We toured the bridge with the captain, rang the bell and enjoyed the crossing as part of the adventure. Once on Porto Santo, we checked into Hotel Torre Praia and joined Dunas Travel for a three-hour jeep tour. Porto Santo has a different personality from Madeira: open, scenic, volcanic and coastal, with long beaches and a quieter rhythm. The tour included original sand dunes, dramatic coastal
we traveled into Funchal for a guided walking tour through the Flower Festival displays, gardens, churches and Old Town. Lunch at Jaket gave us time to enjoy the local atmosphere before continuing to the Madeira Cable Car. The ride delivered sweeping views over Funchal and the Atlantic, followed by a visit to Monte Palace Madeira, a lush garden
30 SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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