Try Scuba Experience

The Try Scuba at Azul Diving starts in the classroom at the Funchal centre with a theory briefing before anyone touches the water. From there the group moves to the pool for a session with the actual equipment — regulators, BCDs, masks — to get comfortable breathing underwater and handling the kit before the pressure of an open-water environment.

Once the pool work is done, the instructor takes participants out to the ocean for a real dive. The target depth is a maximum of 12 metres, and the dive runs roughly 45 to 50 minutes. The Funchal location means the ocean dive takes place close to the Garajau Marine Reserve area, with the resident marine life that comes with a protected zone — groupers, octopus, and whatever the Atlantic brings in that day.

Everything you need is included: complete scuba equipment, the pool time, the briefing, and the ocean dive itself. At the end, participants receive a Certificate of Recognition, which is the standard document that allows you to continue with a full certification course later if you decide to take it further.

Minimum age is 12. You need to be able to swim. The experience is not suitable for pregnant travellers or people with heart, respiratory, circulatory, or psychological conditions, or those taking prescription medication. You also need to avoid flying within 12 hours of the dive. Public transport serves the Funchal location, which makes logistics straightforward if you're staying in the city centre.