Rhea Dive Center

Rhea Dive has been operating on the tranquil island of Porto Santo since 2007. Located within the Pestana Colombos Hotel in Campo de Baixo, the centre is positioned to take advantage of the island's clear Atlantic waters and calm diving conditions.

As an SSI Dive Resort, the centre is professionally licensed and integrated into the local diving community. It serves as a reliable base for both those looking to start their journey with a first breath underwater and experienced divers seeking to expand their skills through specialised training.

The centre operates as an SSI Dive Resort, providing structured training and guided excursions. It is a licensed entity under the Instituto do Desporto de Portugal and is an active member of the Madeira Promotion Association.

The team provides instruction in multiple languages, including Portuguese, German, English, Spanish, French, and Italian, ensuring that international divers can follow technical briefings and training programmes with ease.

The training programme is extensive, covering the full spectrum of SSI certifications. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving, Scuba Diver, or the Open Water Diver course, with the option to add Nitrox training to their qualification.

For those looking to advance, the centre offers courses such as Advanced Adventurer, Deep Diver, and Divemaster. Specialised skills training is also available, including Sidemount Diver, Wreck Diver, and various specialties like Navigation, Perfect Buoyancy, and Underwater Navigation. Freediving enthusiasts can follow a structured path from Basic Freediving through to Level 1.

The centre operates two distinct vessels to suit different group sizes and dive profiles. The Thalita is a 12-metre catamaran with a capacity for 38 divers, making it suitable for larger groups or social outings.

For smaller groups or more agile trips, the Mako is a 7.5-metre semi-rigid boat powered by a 225 hp Honda engine. Both boats are equipped to handle daily sorties, including morning double dives with Nitrox and afternoon excursions. Night dives are also supported from the vessels, and safety equipment including oxygen kits and first aid is carried on board.

Shore-based facilities include a dedicated station for Nitrox fills, with the capacity to reach 40% oxygen. The centre maintains a variety of cylinders, including 10, 12, and 15-litre steel cylinders, as well as S80 DIN cylinders suitable for decompression or stage use.

Full equipment hire is available for divers who prefer not to travel with their own kit. This includes wetsuits (7mm one-piece and 4mm shorts), regulators, BCDs, masks, fins, computers, and torches for night diving. The centre also provides storage boxes for personal gear and on-site maintenance services.

The diving in Porto Santo is characterised by calm, clear Atlantic waters. The local topography includes various reef flats, walls, and wrecks that are accessible via drift or multilevel profiles.

While specific seasonal swell and current data are not provided, the centre's use of two different boat types allows for flexibility in navigating the local conditions.