Hi Tak,
I'm from Azores and my girlfriend is from Madeira so we have info on the islands
... about diving, i've only been to Madeira once and didn't spearfish but talking with friends i can add some info. Water will be around 18ºC-20ºC so a 5ml is perfect (i used a 5ml in these holidays in Azores (18ºC) and it was perfect... oh and viz as more than 20m). About the spots i can't help but make sure to know where spearfishing is alowed (there are some restricted areas). If you're in to just diving (without spear) the Garajau reserve is beautiful and big groupers (ephinephelus marginatus) will literaly come to you and ask if you have a gift
.
the weather will be good (it might rain), temp min 15ºC and max 20ºC (today) and some areas have great humidity. If you want a break in the diving, a interior trail walk will be beautifull experience!
Make sure you drink a Nikita and eat some tuna or meat recipies...
In the future consider Azores
I just get the feeling that i said alot but didn't help much....
Fernando
