Scuba Diving Albufeira-Double Dive Trip

Two water sessions, one well-run morning.

This is a small-group scuba trip built around boat access from Albufeira, with professional support and hot showers when you’re done. You’ll do two separate underwater outings with guidance and structured check-ins, so it feels organized instead of chaotic.

I love how the shop team helps you handle the required paperwork up front, including the RTCW form and the medical questionnaire. I also love the on-water rhythm with underwater guides Fernando and Matias, plus the back-and-forth briefing and debrief between the two sessions.

One possible drawback: you may pay extra for key gear. If you don’t bring your own suit, regulator, mask, gloves, boots, and fins, you’ll need an additional 20€ per person at check-in.

Key points that matter before you go

• Certified-only setup: you need at least Open Water level
• Two underwater sessions, time and air limits: first up to 55 minutes or 60 bar, second up to 50 minutes or 60 bar
• Small group size: maximum of 10 travelers
• Tanks and weights are included: other gear costs extra rental, 20€ per person at check-in
• Boat-led access from Albufeira Marina with guides and a boat captain (João)
• Hot showers and logbook support after you surface

A half-day double scuba session from the Marina de Albufeira

This is a 4-hour, morning-first kind of outing that keeps things simple: meet at the Easydivers base at 8:30am, sort gear and paperwork, then head out by boat for two separate underwater sessions. It is built for people who already hold a valid scuba credential, so the focus stays on safety, planning, and making the water time count.

What I like most for planning purposes is the shape of the schedule. You get two chances underwater rather than one long outing, and the team runs structured briefings before each one. That matters because the second session is not just a repeat of the first. You’ll get a debrief after session one and a new briefing for session two, which helps you adjust based on how your breathing, buoyancy, and comfort felt.

Boat access is another big deal here. If you’ve tried shore entries in unfamiliar conditions, you know how much time and energy can get swallowed by logistics. Starting from Albufeira Marina keeps the day on-track and reduces the “wait around” factor.

Check-in and paperwork: RTCW, medical questions, and your certification

This trip is for certified scuba participants only, with a minimum of Open Water level. When you arrive, plan on a real check-in process. You’ll present your diver certificate and complete an RTCW form along with the respective medical questionnaire.

That paperwork step isn’t a formality. It is an international-standard safety gate designed to confirm you’re fit to dive based on medical history. The operator explicitly notes that some pre-existing conditions, like asthma or heart conditions, may prevent you from participating, so it is smart to talk to your doctor before booking if you have anything on your medical sheet.

Also note the practical requirement: knowing how to swim is essential. If you feel shaky in open water or panic in choppy conditions, this is the moment to rethink rather than push through.

Finally, there are a few hard limits. Pregnant women and children under 10 years old and under 1.40m tall are not allowed for safety reasons. If you’re traveling with kids, measure before you arrive at the center, because the height rule is part of their policy.

Gear rules: tanks and weights included, other essentials cost 20€

Let’s talk equipment, because this is where people either save money or lose time.

The trip includes:

• tanks
• weights
• handling charges and taxes
• bottled water

What’s not included is the usual “wet suit to fins” bundle: suit, regulator, dive mask, gloves, boots, and fins. If you need those items, the extra rental cost is 20€ per person, paid at check-in.

Here’s how I’d think about value. Your base price is about $101.59 per person for the half-day with two underwater sessions, a professional guide, and the core diving hardware (tanks and weights). If you already own your suit, mask, regulator, gloves, boots, and fins, the price becomes straightforward and you avoid the rental add-on. If you do not have your own gear, the 20€ per person is a predictable extra, not a surprise, but you should budget it upfront.

If you do rent, arrive with a calm mindset and a little extra patience. The center needs time to assign equipment and help you get set correctly before you go out on the boat. Having your own well-fitting mask and regulator can cut friction, especially if you dive infrequently.

The two underwater sessions: boat briefing, timing, and 60 bar limits

Once your paperwork and equipment prep are sorted, the group heads out with the professional underwater team. Before the first session, there’s a briefing on the boat. This is where the guide covers the plan and how the session will run.

Each session uses a strict limit based on either time or air supply. The first session has a maximum duration of 55 minutes or 60 bar. After you return to the vessel, you move to the second site. The second session runs for up to 50 minutes or 60 bar, then the boat returns to the Marina.

That structure is great for experienced divers and for those who have not been in the water lately. It keeps expectations realistic. You’ll not be wondering whether you’ll run long, and the “60 bar” cue helps you understand what “safe planning” looks like in practice.

It also means the team is actively managing the group. With a maximum of 10 travelers, your guide can still pay close attention to comfort and buoyancy issues, not just count who’s still down there.

For you, the best way to get the most out of both sessions is to treat the first one as information-gathering. How did your breathing feel? Were you floating too high or sinking? Did you keep a steady pace? Then use the briefing and debrief cycle to adjust for the second one.

Between sessions: debriefing that actually helps

One of the underrated parts of a double outing is what happens between the two underwater sessions. Here, the day is paced so there’s time for a debrief of the first session and a briefing for the second.

That in-between coaching is the difference between feeling like you got “two times in the water” versus actually improving your control. Even if you are experienced, it can be easy to return rusty after time away. A short debrief can help tighten your technique quickly, which also boosts safety.

And because you’re back on the boat between sessions, you don’t waste time on long logistics like climbing back to shore, sorting snacks, or re-checking everything from scratch. That keeps the day feeling focused.

After you surface: hot showers and logbook notes

When you return to the facilities, hot showers are available. This is one of those “small thing, big morale” details. Saltwater can make you feel cold fast, and the chance to warm up helps you enjoy the rest of your day instead of rushing to change in a hurry.

Then you’ll be directed to a service desk where you’ll get the details of your dives so you can fill in your logbook. This is practical support, especially if you like neat records for certification, future planning, or personal tracking.

If you’re the kind of diver who uses a computer, you’ll likely appreciate having a guide’s notes available right after the fact while the details are still fresh. Even if you don’t, the logbook process helps you remember what you learned and what conditions you faced that day.

Price and value: what you really get for around $101.59

At roughly $101.59 per person, this is priced like a focused half-day activity, not a big all-day package with meals and extras. The value comes from a few key inclusions:

• two separate underwater sessions
• tank and weight setup
• a professional guide
• boat transport from Albufeira
• hot showers
• bottled water
• taxes and handling fees included

What can change the final cost is gear. If you need suit, regulator, mask, gloves, boots, and fins, plan for the 20€ per person rental at check-in. If you bring your own, you skip that extra.

So the real value equation depends on what you already own. For gear owners, it is a clean deal. For gear renters, it is still reasonable, but you should factor the add-on into your budget.

Also pay attention to the group size. Maximum of 10 travelers is a meaningful quality signal. In crowded boats, guides often have less time per person. Here, the smaller cap helps keep the day attentive.

And one more value note: the schedule is short. If you only have a morning free in Albufeira, this lets you fit two underwater sessions without consuming your whole day.

How to decide if the Algarve conditions fit you

The data you have here is mostly about structure and safety, not marine-life promises. What you can plan for is the practical reality: this is a boat trip with planned timings, and it depends on decent weather. The operator notes that the experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

That matters because underwater visibility and comfort can vary, and the operator cannot control the sea. What you can control is preparation. Bring the right layers under your suit if you tend to get cold. If you have a preferred scuba computer setup or you want consistent buoyancy control, consider doing a careful gear check before you reach the boat.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, plan for it. You’ll be on a boat twice during the outing: heading out, then repositioning between sessions, and returning after. The operator does not list motion-sickness options, so it’s on you to come ready.

Who this trip suits best, and who should rethink it

This is best for people who already hold a scuba certification of at least Open Water and want a guided two-session morning off Albufeira. It is also a good match if:

• you dive infrequently and want a structured day with briefings and a debrief between sessions
• you prefer boat access over shore entries
• you want help with the immediate logbook details at the end

It is not the right fit if:

• you do not meet the certification requirement
• you cannot swim comfortably
• you are pregnant or traveling with children under 10 or under 1.40m tall
• you have a medical condition that your doctor says would make scuba unsafe

Also, if you are planning travel by air, pay attention to the guidance: diving within 48 hours of flying is not recommended. That usually has to do with pressure and body recovery time. If your flights are tight, choose dates that give your body a buffer.

Should you book this Albufeira double scuba session?

Book it if you want a well-structured half-day with two guided underwater sessions, a small group, tank and weight setup included, and the practical perks of hot showers plus logbook support afterward. The center’s professional flow, from paperwork check-in to the boat briefing rhythm, is exactly what you want when you want your time in the water to feel safe and worth it.

Skip or delay if the extra gear rental fee would be a hardship, or if your medical situation, swimming confidence, or travel timing makes scuba risky for you. If you already dive regularly and own your equipment, this is a straightforward value play. If you’re new enough that you need gear, budget the 20€ add-on and give yourself extra time at check-in.

If you’re comfortable meeting the certification and safety requirements, this is a solid way to get two chances underwater from Albufeira without turning your day into a logistics marathon.

FAQ

What scuba level do I need for this trip?

You must be a certified scuba participant with a minimum level of Open Water.

What paperwork do I need to bring or complete?

At check-in you’ll need to present your scuba certificate and complete an RTCW form plus a medical questionnaire.

What scuba equipment is included in the price?

The trip includes tanks and weights. Bottled water and professional guidance are included as well.

What equipment costs extra at check-in?

Suit, regulator, dive mask, gloves, boots, and fins have an extra rental cost of 20€, paid at check-in.

How long are the two underwater sessions?

The first session is up to 55 minutes or 60 bar. The second session is up to 50 minutes or 60 bar.

Are hot showers provided after the activity?

Yes. Hot showers are available at the base center after you return.

Where does the activity start, and what time?

It starts at the Easydivers meeting point at Marina de Albufeira, Passeio dos Oceanos, Lote 4, Loja 5, 8200-371 Albufeira, Portugal, at 8:30 am.

Is it allowed for children or pregnant travelers?

No. Pregnant women and children under 10 years old and under 1.40m in height are not allowed.

What if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.