Porto Moniz: Diving with Sharks and Rays in Madeira Aquarium

Sharks and rays, under bright indoor lights. In Porto Moniz, this Madeira Aquarium experience puts mantas, rays, and sharks in a controlled space, with real coaching so you can go in even without certification. You also get far more than a typical look at fish tanks: you’ll walk through the aquarium, including its technical zone.

I especially like how the activity starts with a calm, step-by-step setup. You’ll get a briefing and a warm-up in natural ocean pools before entering the main tank, so the first time underwater feels less like a leap and more like learning a skill. I also appreciate the backstage part: the guided tour explains how the aquarium operates, including what’s happening behind the scenes.

One consideration: the tank is built for close viewing, not the wide-open feel of the ocean. If you’re hoping for big “out there” currents and horizon-level freedom, this is more about careful, up-close encounters than exploring a vast sea.

Key things that make this experience work

• A small group (max 4) means you’re not rushed
• Natural-pool warm-up helps you build comfort before the main tank
• Guided aquarium tour plus technical-zone access adds context
• You’ll meet mantas, rays, and sharks up close in a controlled setup
• Equipment is provided, so you can focus on learning and safety
• Plan ahead: don’t fly the same day as your underwater session

Arriving at Aquário da Madeira in Porto Moniz

You’ll meet at Aquário da Madeira, right in the Porto Moniz area. It’s a straightforward setup: show your voucher at the staff desk and you’re guided into the flow from there. This matters more than it sounds. When you’re doing something water-based and sensory-heavy, clear “where do we go next” reduces stress fast.

Porto Moniz itself is known for its rugged coast and natural volcanic rock pools, so the vibe fits perfectly. Even if you’ve never done anything like this before, you’ll feel like you’re in the right place to learn in water that’s tied to the local geography.

Also, the experience runs about 3 hours, so it’s long enough to do proper training, but not so long that you start negotiating with your stomach.

The 3-hour flow: briefing, natural-pool practice, then the main tank swim

The timing is built like a progression. You don’t jump straight into the big tank. Instead, you build comfort in stages:

First, you’ll start with a guided introduction and briefing. This is where you learn how the gear fits and what your instructor expects from you underwater. Then comes the warm-up in a natural swimming pool setting—people often call out the Lavapools by name in their feedback—so you can test buoyancy and movement without the pressure of being in front of the entire tank right away.

Finally, once you’re ready, you’ll head into the main tank for the underwater portion with an instructor right there with you. The whole sequence is designed to take the edge off for first-timers. Instead of hoping your body cooperates, you get coached while you practice.

Small-group format (up to 4) is a real advantage here. With fewer people, the instructor can watch your body position, correct small technique issues, and move at a pace that doesn’t feel like a conveyor belt.

Why the Lavapools warm-up is such a smart start

The warm-up happens in natural ocean pools, and that choice is practical. Natural pools tend to feel more like the real thing than a classroom or a poolside briefing. You can work through the basic motions and breathing rhythm, and you get a chance to realize what’s comfortable for your body before you’re in the aquarium’s main viewing environment.

In feedback from people who were nervous at first, the consistent theme is confidence. They felt safer because they weren’t thrown into the tank as a surprise. You learn the equipment handling, then you practice in water that’s familiar enough to keep you calm.

If you’re deciding whether to do this, here’s the real takeaway: that warm-up reduces panic. And once you’re less panicked, you notice more. You can actually look around and take in the animals, instead of spending the first minutes thinking only about breathing.

The aquarium tour plus the technical-zone backstage walk

One of the strongest reasons to book this isn’t just the animal encounter. It’s the guided aquarium tour, including access to the aquarium’s technical zone.

That backstage portion matters because it turns the experience from a simple viewing moment into an understanding moment. You’ll learn about how the aquarium supports the creatures—how the system works and what it takes to keep animals healthy in a controlled environment.

A few people specifically mention how they learned about filtration and day-to-day operations, which is exactly the kind of detail that makes you appreciate the tank even more after you’ve seen it from the inside.

If you’re the type who likes to know how things work—whether it’s plumbing, biology, or equipment—this extra access adds genuine value. It also gives you something to focus on during breaks in the process, so you’re not only waiting for the water part.

Meeting mantas, rays, and sharks in a controlled main tank

This is the headline. The main tank is where you get an up-close encounter with mantas, rays, and sharks—in a setting designed for safety and guidance. You’re not relying on luck like you would at sea.

And because it’s controlled, the experience is more predictable. You can spend time looking instead of constantly scanning for movement. In the aquarium environment, you also get closer to animals that can be hard to spot in open water.

A few review details are worth noting for your expectations:

• Some participants mention seeing a lot of different fish species and crustaceans during the aquarium tour.
• At least one person describes gentle interaction with fish during the underwater portion, but that’s not something you should assume will happen on every session. Treat it as a possibility, not a guarantee.

The big promise is still clear: you’ll be underwater with an instructor during the main tank portion, and you’ll have the chance to observe these animals up close in a way that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.

Instructor quality is the make-or-break factor (and it’s consistently strong)

This activity is built around one thing: you need to feel safe and supported. The equipment is provided, but calm coaching is what turns “first time” into “I want to do this again.”

A lot of praise in feedback centers on Abílio Sousa, often described as patient, calm, funny in a grounded way, and very good at explaining what to do. People also highlight that his English is excellent, which makes a difference when you’re trying to understand breathing and positioning cues quickly.

Here’s why that matters for you: underwater learning is mostly about small instructions. If an instructor explains clearly and checks in often, you spend your attention on the animals instead of guessing what to do next.

Also, the experience is led in multiple languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French. So if you’re traveling with a group, language support is built into the plan.

Equipment and what you should do before you go

You don’t need to bring scuba gear; high-quality equipment is included. That’s a big value point, because renting or buying gear can be a hidden cost on many excursions.

What you do need to bring is simple:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Beachwear (so you’re comfortable afterward)

If you want the smoothest experience, arrive as prepared as you can. Bring what you need for getting changed fast and staying warm between pool practice and the aquarium portion. Also, plan for a bit of waiting time depending on timing of the group, so having a towel and dry clothes ready helps.

Food and drinks aren’t included, so don’t plan to eat only after you’re done. A short snack plan helps your energy stay steady through the 3-hour window.

Price and value: $159 for a coached, no-cert underwater aquarium experience

At about $159 per person for roughly 3 hours, this isn’t the cheapest thing in Madeira. But it isn’t overpriced when you compare what’s included.

You’re getting:

• A guided aquarium tour
• A technical-zone walk behind the scenes
• A structured pre-session briefing
• A warm-up in a natural pool
• An instructor-led underwater session in the main tank
• Equipment provided
• A small group format (limited to 4)

And it’s designed for people without certification. That one detail is important. You’re not paying for the cost of a full certification program; you’re paying for an experience that teaches you what you need for this controlled environment.

Is it worth it? If you want a safe, guided first-time underwater encounter with mantas, rays, and sharks—plus real context about how the aquarium functions—then yes, the value holds up.

If you already have lots of open-water experience and want ocean freedom, you might feel the tank is limiting. But if you’re there for animals and learning with support, the price starts to make a lot of sense.

Safety rules and who should skip this session

This experience comes with clear suitability limits, and you should take them seriously. You must be:

• Over 10 years old
• Accompanied by a guardian if you’re under 18

It also isn’t offered for:

• Pregnant participants
• People medically restricted from participating in sports like this underwater activity
• People with a cold

One extra safety note that matters for your travel day: avoid flying the same day as your underwater session. If you’re planning Madeira with flights close together, schedule this activity on a day when you can keep travel stress and flying out of the equation.

If you’re unsure about medical fitness, don’t guess. Use the provided guidance and check with your doctor if you have any concerns. Safety here is part of the deal, not an add-on.

Practical tips for feeling comfortable and getting good moments

Even with all the coaching, your comfort controls how much you enjoy it. A few tips based on what consistently comes up:

• Tell the instructor early if you’re nervous. The strongest feedback highlights instructors who take nervousness seriously and move at your pace.
• Do the warm-up pool practice seriously. That’s where you build breathing rhythm and comfort. If you treat it like a warm-up joke, you’ll feel it later in the tank.
• Bring your towel and dry clothes. People remember how they felt in the water, but they also remember how the change-out went afterward.
• Plan for photos from outside the tank if needed. In feedback, some companions stayed near the viewing area and got photos/videos during the main tank portion. If you’re traveling with someone who isn’t participating, ask what viewing options are available once you arrive.

And yes—some people describe the experience as perfect for birthdays and “bucket list” moments. That isn’t just sentiment. A calm instructor + guided learning + close animal viewing is exactly what makes a milestone feel special.

Who this experience is best for

I’d point this toward you if:

• You want to see mantas, rays, and sharks without relying on open-water luck
• You’re curious about how aquariums actually function (including behind-the-scenes systems)
• You want a first-time friendly scuba-style experience with equipment included
• You value small-group attention (max 4) rather than a crowded production line

You might skip it if:

• You’re chasing the feeling of open ocean exploration
• You need a fully hands-off spectator experience (this is an active session)
• Any safety restrictions apply to you or your group

Should you book Porto Moniz Aquarium scuba training with Sharks and Rays?

If your idea of a great day in Madeira includes animals up close, calm coaching, and a real look at how the aquarium works, I think this is a strong choice. The combination is the whole point: the guided tour adds meaning, and the coached underwater portion makes it achievable—even if you’re new.

Book it if you can commit to the warm-up and follow instructor guidance, and if your travel schedule lets you avoid flying on the day of the session. If you’re flexible and prepared, you’ll likely come away with the kind of memory that sticks longer than a photo.

FAQ

How long is the Madeira Aquarium sharks, rays, and manta experience?

It lasts about 3 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is $159 per person.

Where do I meet for the experience?

You’ll meet at Aquário da Madeira. Show your voucher to the staff.

Is certification required?

No. The experience is designed so you can do the underwater tank session without certification.

What age is this experience for?

Participants must be over 10 years old. If someone is under 18, they must be accompanied by a guardian.

What should I bring, and what isn’t included?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and beachwear. Food and drinks are not included.