Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving in the Luiz Saldanha Natural Park: discover a whole new world!

Are you a nature lover and looking for an adventure that takes you off the beaten track? Then come scuba diving in the Luiz Saldanha Natural Park, a pristine paradise on the coast of Portugal. While many visitors come to walk the park’s scenic trails or laze on its sandy beaches, few know of the hidden treasures that lie beneath the waves. That’s right – the Luiz Saldanha Natural Park is home to the most vibrant and diverse marine life in all of Europe, making it the perfect destination for a diving adventure. From colourful fish to majestic seahorses, the park’s crystal clear waters offer a glimpse into a world few can experience. So get ready to discover the hidden gems of the Luiz Saldanha Nature Park – your underwater adventure awaits!

The Luiz Saldanha Natural Park

The Luiz Saldanha Natural Park is located on the coast of Portugal, about 30 kilometres south of Lisbon. This park is named after Portuguese biologist Luiz Saldanha, who was known for his pioneering work on marine ecology.
The park covers more than 16,000 hectares and includes both land and sea. The landscape consists of steep cliffs, rolling hills and extensive sandy beaches. It is home to an abundance of flora and fauna, including more than 200 bird species and 1,500 plant species.
But what makes the Luiz Saldanha Natural Park really special is its marine life. The park is home to more than 1,000 species of marine animals and plants, making it one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in Europe.

The park’s underwater world

Scuba Diving in the Luiz Saldanha Natural Park is like entering another world. Beneath the waves, you will find a colourful, vibrant and surprising environment packed with life.
One of the most striking features of the underwater landscape are the large rock formations. These rocks are home to a variety of marine animals, including octopuses, lobsters and starfish.
Another notable feature are the seagrass beds. These fields are an important food source and habitat for a wide range of marine animals, including seahorses, rays and sea turtles.

Scuba Diving opportunities in the park

There are diving opportunities for divers of all levels, from beginners to experienced divers.
One of the most popular dive sites is the Jardim das Gorgónias, also known as the “Gorgonian Garden”. This dive site is named after the beautiful gorgonians, also called soft corals, that grow here in abundance. Other popular scuba dive sites include the Lagosteiros and the Pedra do Leão.
The park also offers night dives, where you can witness the nocturnal life of marine life. Night dives are an unforgettable experience and offer a new perspective on the underwater world.

Tugar has been working for years with a diving school that provides scuba diving lessons in the Luiz Saldanha Natural Park. They offer a first experience of scuba diving so you can get acquainted with this activity in a relaxed way and enjoy all the splendour this underwater park has to offer.

The best time to go scuba diving in the Luiz Saldanha Natural Park

Luiz Saldanha Natural Park is open for scuba diving all year round, but the best time to go diving is from June to October. During these months, water temperatures are pleasant and underwater visibility is best.
Outside these months, water temperatures can drop to 14 degrees Celsius and underwater visibility can be limited.

Diving, what equipment do you need?

When scuba diving in the Luiz Saldanha Natural Park, you will need some essential equipment to make your diving experience as comfortable and safe as possible.
One of the most important pieces of equipment is a wetsuit. The water in the park can be quite cold, even during the summer months, so it is important to wear a wetsuit to stay warm.
Other essential equipment includes goggles, snorkel and fins.

All this equipment is provided by the diving school, all you need to bring is swimwear for under the wetsuits, a towel and dry clothes for after the activity. There is an opportunity to shower.

The marine life you can expect

The Luiz Saldanha Natural Park is home to an amazing variety of marine life. While diving, you can encounter a wide range of marine animals, including octopuses, sea urchins, seahorses and stingrays.
One of the park’s most impressive residents are manta rays. These majestic creatures can grow up to 7 metres wide and are an unforgettable sight during a dive.

Other activities in and around the park

If you have had enough of diving for a while, there are plenty of other activities to do in and around Luiz Saldanha Nature Park.

For example, you can do a coasteering, kayak, visit caves, snorkel, spot dolphins, hike or hire a mountain bike to explore the area on your own.

From 110€ pp

Want to know more? Then email info@tugar.nl