Most divers who come to Madeira start in Funchal, with the groupers of Garajau and the Afonso Cerqueira wreck. The eastern tip of the island is a different trip. Ponta de São Lourenço is a long, bare volcanic peninsula of red and ochre cliffs, with little shelter from the Atlantic and very little human development along its coast. Underwater it is just as dramatic: dark lava walls, boulder fields, rays on the sand and, very occasionally, the rarest seal in the world.
Since our second dive centre opened at Quinta do Lorde Marina, right at the start of the peninsula, these sites are a short boat ride away instead of a long drive from Funchal. This guide covers what makes the area special, what you can expect on a dive, and how to behave if a monk seal turns up, based on the latest guidance from Madeira's conservation authority.
Ponta de São Lourenço has been protected since 1982, originally for its endemic plants and seabirds. It is also part of the European Natura 2000 network (site PTMAD0003), and the protection extends into the sea around the headland. In practice, that means:
The east coast is more exposed than Funchal's south coast, and that shapes the diving.
Terrain. Expect volcanic scenery: walls, arches, overhangs and large boulders, with sandy patches in between. It is a very photogenic area, especially in good light.
Depths. There are sites suited to most certified divers, plus more challenging sites that go down to around 40 metres for experienced divers. Your guide will match the site to your certification and experience.
Marine life. On a typical dive you can see rays on the sandy bottom, barracudas, octopus and moray eels hiding in the rock, plenty of Atlantic reef fish, and on deeper sites black coral. Pelagic visitors appear from time to time, because deep water is close to the coast here.
Water and visibility. Water temperature around Madeira ranges from about 18°C in winter to about 24°C in summer, with no thermocline to speak of. Visibility is often very good and can exceed 30 metres. Diving is possible all year, though June to November usually brings the warmest water and calmest conditions.
Conditions. Because the peninsula sticks out into the Atlantic, wind and swell matter more than in Funchal. On some days the team will choose a more sheltered site, or suggest Funchal-side diving instead. That is a safety decision, not a lack of flexibility.
The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), known in Madeira as lobo-marinho, is one of the main reasons this coast is special.
How rare is it? Worldwide, a 2024 review in Endangered Species Research estimated the total population at 815–997 individuals, of which only 443–599 are mature adults. In June 2023 the IUCN moved the species from "Endangered" to "Vulnerable" thanks to recovery in some areas, but it remains the rarest seal on the planet.
How many live in Madeira? According to the regional government, the Madeira population is estimated at about 30 animals, and the species is still classified locally as endangered. Most of them live around the Desertas Islands, a nature reserve created to protect them, which lies off the south-east of Madeira, opposite Ponta de São Lourenço.
Will you see one? Probably not, and you should not book a dive expecting to. Sightings around Madeira have become more frequent in recent years, which the authorities see as a positive sign of decades of protection. In May 2026, for example, a young seal was seen resting on the rocks at Praia Formosa in Funchal. Ponta de São Lourenço is the area of mainland Madeira where divers are most likely to have an encounter, but any sighting is a matter of luck.
In May 2026, Madeira's Institute for Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) reminded everyone in the water how to behave around monk seals. The guidance applies to swimmers, snorkellers, kayakers, SUP users and divers:
These rules exist because every disturbance matters to a population of around 30. A seal that learns to associate people with food or harassment is at greater risk, and disturbance near resting areas can drive animals away from the places they need.
Before diving at Ponta de São Lourenço, listen carefully to the briefing and ask your guide if anything is unclear. If a seal shows up, the dive plan changes around the seal, not the other way round.
If you are new to diving, a Discover Scuba Diving experience or your first certification dives are best done in calmer water first; ask us which location suits you on your dates.
| Departure | Azul Diving, Quinta do Lorde Marina (Caniçal / Machico) |
| Trip | 2 dives, Ponta de São Lourenço |
| Price | €79 for certified divers |
| Park fee | €5 per dive where applicable |
| Included | 12 L tank, weights and dive guide |
| Equipment rental | Full kit from €20 per dive or €30 per day (promotion) |
| Water temperature | about 18°C (winter) to 24°C (summer) |
| Depths | from easy sites to around 40 m |
Prices as published on our price list for 2026; please check the current price list when booking.
Combine both sides of the island. With centres in Funchal and at Quinta do Lorde, you can split your week: Garajau Marine Reserve and the Afonso Cerqueira wreck on the south coast, Ponta de São Lourenço in the east. Our 6, 8 and 10-dive packs work across both.
Is Ponta de São Lourenço suitable for beginners? Some sites are, in calm conditions. Most guests diving here are already certified. Ask us and we will recommend the best option for your level.
Can I dive with monk seals? No one can promise a seal, and divers must never seek one out. If one appears, follow the guide's instructions and the IFCN rules above.
When is the best time to dive the east coast? Diving is possible year-round. Summer and early autumn usually give the warmest water and calmer seas, but the final decision is made on the day, according to wind and swell.
Do I need my own equipment? No. Full equipment is available to rent at both of our centres.
Sources: Karamanlidis A.A. et al., "Current status, biology, threats and conservation priorities of the Vulnerable Mediterranean monk seal", Endangered Species Research 53: 341-361 (2024); IUCN Red List, Monachus monachus (assessment of 2023); Madeira Regional Government / IFCN statement on the monk seal, reported by DNOTICIAS.PT on 20 May 2026; Natura 2000 site PTMAD0003 Ponta de São Lourenço; Azul Diving 2026 price list.