Pricing transparency
Madeira Diving Prices — What "€79 vs €135" Actually Means
Operators in Madeira advertise wildly different prices for "the same" 2-tank trip. The difference is almost always inclusions: who pays for gear, computer, park fees, insurance, and whether tanks are 12L or 15L. Here's the real breakdown so you can compare honestly.
A real example
| Inclusion | Operator A (€79 trip) | Operator B (€135 trip) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 dives + tanks + weights + boat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Guide + briefing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full gear rental (BCD, regulator, suit, mask, fins) | €22 extra | ✓ included |
| Dive computer rental | €10 extra | ✓ included |
| Marine park fee (if applicable) | €3 extra at site | ✓ included |
| Dive insurance | Verify policy | ✓ included |
| Snack + water between dives | Some | ✓ included |
| All-in actual cost | ~€114 | €135 |
Operator A's "€79" becomes ~€114 once you add the gear + computer + park fee. Operator B's €135 already covers everything. The price difference is real (~€20) but much smaller than the headline suggests. Always ask for the all-in number before booking.
Standard pricing in Madeira (2026)
| Activity | Base price | All-in (gear + extras) |
|---|---|---|
| Discover Scuba (DSD) | €45–€65 | €60–€90 |
| Single fun dive (own gear) | €30–€50 | €55–€75 |
| Single fun dive (gear included) | — | €55–€80 |
| 2-tank trip (own gear) | €55–€80 | €80–€110 |
| 2-tank trip (all-in) | — | €90–€135 |
| Open Water Course (OW) | €399–€500 | €450–€600 |
| Advanced Open Water (AOW) | €299–€400 | €350–€500 |
| Nitrox specialty (1-day) | €99–€125 | €110–€140 |
| Wreck specialty (2-day) | €165–€225 | €185–€260 |
| 5-pack of 2-tank trips | — | €350–€550 (~10–15% off list) |
| Daily gear rental (full kit) | €20–€30 | — |
| Computer rental | €10 | — |
Pricing varies seasonally (~10% off in winter for some operators). Cert fees (PADI / SSI card processing) may be additional — ask when booking the OW or AOW.
Ask these questions before booking
- "Is gear included? If not, what's the rental cost for full gear?"
- "Is dive computer rental included or extra?"
- "Are there site / marine-park fees not covered by the trip price?"
- "Is dive insurance included? If yes, what's the policy number / coverage?"
- "How many divers per guide?" (1:4 standard for OW; lower for DSD or wreck penetration)
- "What gear do you provide?" (BCD brand + age, regulator service date)
- "Is Nitrox available? Is it included or extra?"
- "What's the cancellation policy?" (most: 24-48h)
Get the answers in writing (email is fine). The 5-minute follow-up question protects you from a €40 surprise when you arrive on the dock.
Money-saving tips
- Book a 5-pack or 10-pack if doing 4+ days. Discounts run 10-20% off list.
- Bring your own mask + fins. Centres charge €5-10/day rental for these and they pack easily. BCD + regulator + wetsuit are reasonable to rent (€20-30/day for full kit).
- Free Nitrox after X dives — Madeira Divepoint offers free Nitrox after 4 paid dives. Verify; this varies.
- Off-season discounts (Nov-Mar) often run 10% off list. Worth asking.
- Cruise-passenger packages are usually marked up. If you have time, walk from the cruise port directly to a Funchal dive centre and book a normal day-rate.
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