Berlengas Islands vs Madeira — Dive Destination Comparison
Berlengas Islands (Portugal) scores 63.6/100 vs Madeira's 55.0/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Berlengas Islands for reef diving with 8–25m visibility. Choose Madeira for wreck diving at ~$65/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Berlengas Islands | Madeira |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 63.6/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Country | Portugal | Portugal |
| Visibility | 8--25m | 12--30m |
| Water temp | 13--20 C | 18--24 C |
| Max depth | 35m | 40m |
| Current | moderate | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $85 | $65 |
| Budget tier | mid range | mid range |
| Best months | June, July, August | June, July, August |
| Dive types | reef, wall, cave, wreck | wreck, pelagic |
| Min certification | Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | sunfish, conger eel, octopus | octopus, grouper, moray eel |
| Google rating | 4.6 (140 reviews) | 0 (0 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Berlengas Islands when...
- + Wreck diving enthusiasts
- + Anyone visiting Europe for the first time
- + Groups seeking 14+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 13°C
Choose Madeira when...
- + Wreck diving enthusiasts
- + Anyone visiting Mediterranean for the first time
- + Groups seeking 20+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 18°C
Bottom line
Berlengas Islands wins on overall score (63.6 vs 55.0), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Madeira is more affordable ($65 vs $85/dive). Madeira has better peak visibility (30m vs 25m).