Portugal Caves?

[T. Bix]

It looks like I may have a couple of days to do some diving in Portugal next month. I'd prefer to do some cave diving if possible so I need to find some info on how to link up with some active Portuguese (but English speaking) divers and what equipment is available for rent locally vs how much I may have to haul and how to handle gas fills...... Any advise is greatly appreciated.

[RN]

I haven't done any dives in Portugal caves but I have been in contact with a cave diver there. You may be able to borrow some cylinders but you'll probably need to bring your own gear. That is if you can coordinate a dive with some of the local cave divers. The caves there are not easily accessible and do require diving with someone familiar with them. Also, you will need trimix which will only be available from private fill stations. This information is a couple years old so it may have changed, but that was the last I had on it.

[T. Bix]

Thanx Rob, If need be I can bring a set of tanks but the company frowns on full tanks and the potential hazmat/customs issues it may cause. I could prolly get my PPhe already set so it would just need a nitrox or PP fill to get to the requesit final mix. And I wouildn't dream of entering a new system without someone local and knowledgeable on the particulars of the system.... that said, do you still have any contact with any of them and would you mind putting some feelers out for me or just generally the community at large?

I'll jump on a charter and dive off the coast if I can't get this connection made in time or maybe both but I'd really rather do some cave diving while I'm there with time to kill. Plus I really don't want to get my gear all salty!

[RN]

I'll send him a note. Do you have dates already set? As for diving around the coast, I'm not sure if there's much. I haven't really looked into it but the only coastal diving I know of is around the island of Madeira.

[DaveP]

And I wouildn't dream of entering a new system without someone local and knowledgeable on the particulars of the system....

You would pass on a virgin cave ????

[T. Bix]

You would pass on a virgin cave ????

.....in a foriegn country, diving solo, I'm afraid I would.

and as my schedule is firming up it looks like I'll be in Faro down on the south coast from the 15th to the 20th. it looks like a pretty mountainous area so I'm hoping there is something less salty to dive in but I gotta do what I gotta do!

Please pass along any contacts or info you can thanx!

[RN]

It's been a while, but if I remember correctly the caves are in central to northern part of the country. You'd be looking at a 4 hour drive minimum I believe. It's been a while since I've been to Portugal so my memory is not that great on driving times but I do remember Lisbon to Algarve was a few hours. I'll send my contact an e-mail right now.

[dad-the-diver]

mate, if the caves dont pan out theres plenty of fun salt diving off the Algarve. Google "Indigo Divers" they'ré sort You out.

[Cave_Man]

There are some nice caves in Portugal !!!

[Cave_Man]