Haliotis - Peniche Diving Center

Located near the Supertubos beach in Peniche, Haliotis is a central hub for diving in Portugal. The centre provides a gateway to the Berlenga Nature Reserve, a protected marine area consisting of the Berlenga Grande, Estelas, and Farilhões islets. These sites are renowned for their exceptional water clarity and complex underwater topography.

Beyond the immediate coast, the centre's reach extends to various marine parks and reserves across the country. Whether you are looking for the calm bays of a protected reserve or the more exposed, high-energy environments of the outer islets, the setup is designed to handle the diverse conditions of the Atlantic.

The team is composed of 11 professionals, including a PADI Course Director and several instructors with specialised qualifications such as TecRec, IDC Staff, and PADI Tec Deep and Tec 50 Trimix Instructors. This depth of expertise ensures that both recreational and technical diving programmes are handled by qualified hands.

Many of the staff members also hold training in marine biology, adding a layer of ecological insight to the guided dives. The centre operates with a professional structure that has become a reference point for diving in the region, maintaining high standards across its various locations in Portugal and beyond.

Haliotis offers a comprehensive range of PADI courses, starting from the Open Water Diver and moving through to Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster. They also host the PADI IDC (Instructor Development Course).

For technical divers, the centre provides specialised training including PADI Tec Deep and PADI Tec 50 Trimix. Other available certifications include Nitrox (Enriched Air Diver), PADI Boat Diver, and PADI PPB.

The centre operates two semi-rigid boats to manage its dive trips. The Lascaris is a 12-metre vessel powered by twin 350hp Yamaha engines, designed for stability and performance when heading out to the Berlengas.

The Necora is a smaller 9.6-metre RIB, equipped with twin 200hp Yamaha engines. Both vessels are outfitted with essential safety and navigation kit, including VHF, D-GPS, and a depth sounder, and carry oxygen kits and first aid equipment on board.

The shore-based facilities include spacious changing rooms with hot showers and two dedicated classrooms for theory work. For training purposes, the centre also has access to both an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool.

The technical setup is robust, featuring a filling station capable of providing air, Nitrox, Trimix, and oxygen. The centre is also rebreather friendly. For those needing to rent kit, a full range of equipment is available, including brands such as Aqualung, TUSA, and Apeks.

The marine life in the Berlenga archipelago is defined by its diversity, with gorgonians covering the walls and large schools of pelagic fish passing through. You may encounter white seabream, dusky grouper, and various rays depending on the site and conditions.

In the protected areas of Sesimbra, the focus shifts to a vast array of macro-organisms and a high density of juvenile species. The rocky reefs and cliffs host a complex ecosystem of marine life, including syngnathus acus.

In Madeira, the Garajau Reserve is known for large dusky groupers and the possibility of seeing dolphins, rays, and manta rays. If you are diving near the Desertas islands, there is the chance to encounter monk seals.

Seasonality plays a role in what you might see; for example, Mola mola are typically present towards the end of the summer, while pelagic fish are more common in the autumn.

Conditions in Peniche can be subject to swell and varying currents, particularly when diving the outer islets of the Berlengas. The best time to visit this area is between June and October, as weather conditions can become unfavourable from December to February.

In Sesimbra, the swell is generally low due to the protection of the coastline, which supports a calmer environment and high biodiversity. The visibility here typically ranges between 5 and 15 metres.

In the Atlantic islands like Madeira or the Santa Maria reserves, conditions can vary from day to day, with intermittent currents and swell. The best window for the Santa Maria sites is between June and October.