Portugal, often associated with diving in the Azores and Madeira, also offers a fascinating playground for cave diving enthusiasts. Located north of Lisbon, the Serras de Aire and Candeeiros region is filled with caves to explore, making this place a true paradise for underground diving lovers.
A Must-Visit Cave Diving Destination
About 1.5 hours northeast of Lisbon, the limestone region of Serras de Aire is home to the majority of the 2,000 caves discovered in Portugal. Currently, about ten systems are accessible for diving, in addition to those still being explored. Other formations can also be found in the Sicó-Alvaiázere area and the Arrábida mountain ridge.
The diving systems in this region are often located at altitude and quickly plunge into the depths of the mountains. While air dives in side-mount configuration or with twin tanks are possible, the depth of the sites necessitates relatively short dives.
The rock formations are characterized by sinkholes, dolines, and karst depressions adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. The flooded networks generally consist of a main gallery and a few deeper secondary galleries.
Exploration of the Alviela Cave
The Olhos de Agua Spring
The Olhos de Agua spring is one of the most important in Portugal, serving as a water supply for Lisbon since 1880 via the Alviela aqueduct. Located at an altitude of 77 meters, this karst spring is integrated into the Estremenho limestone massif, which spans approximately 800 km².
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