SCUBA DIVING IN SPAIN: Canary Islands and Mediterranean dives. Divers’ Reviews

Spain is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Cantabrian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea; hence it offers a variety of scuba dive sites. To the north, Galicia, the Basque country and Asturias have cold water and dives can be demanding, but rewarding. Regions like the Balearic Islands, Malaga, Granada and areas close to the Strait of Gibraltar have mild conditions year-round. The best time to dive in Spain is from March to November, but many diving centers work all year long.

MURCIA, VISIT LAS HORMIGAS MARINE RESERVE

Las Hormigas Marine Reserve has the best diving in Murcia, however there´s over 70 dive sites in this area of 250 km. of Mediterranean coastline. Most of the tourist infrastructure is around La Manga and it’s also where the best diving locations are. Beach dives are available in Cala Fría and Cala Reona.

Las Hormigas Marine Reserve consists of a set of underwater islands. The scenery is magical. Bajo de Dentro and Bajo de en Medio are some of its best dive spots. Conger eels, shoals of barracuda and sunfish can be spotted here. Murcia is an area perfect for strolling around and sightseeing. It´s cathedrals and museums are gorgeous, its food great and people are very friendly.

THE BALEARIC ISLANDS, CALA RAJADA MARINE RESERVE FOR CAVE DIVES

The Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean include Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Cabrera. The community´s capital is Palma de Mallorca. Due to its climate and beaches, it’s one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Europe. There are over 80 dive sites in the islands for all level divers.

Mallorca has great shore dives and you can dive all around the island. The Cave of Jerónimo is one of the best dive sites, it’s a really big cave and you can surface in it. About 1 km. off the coast of the Cala Rajada Marine Reserve you can visit The Big Cheese, a spectacular dive site with lots of small tunnels and caves.

Menorca has over 25 different dive sites; the reefs of Cala Blanca, Gran Canyons, Lighthouse and Sons Xog have great marine life, beautiful walls, and rock formations. Many sea breams live in this area.

Ibiza, known for its busy night life, has dive sites known for having some of the best visibility in Spain. The Cathedral dive site (Cueva Cala Llonga) is a large cave with easy access where you will find octopus and crawfish. You can also surface and breathe fresh air. The Don Pedro wreck, also in Ibiza, is a 464 ft. (145 m.) cargo ship sunk in 2007. The Es Vedra islet is a must see.

CATALONIA, MEDES ESLANDS MARINE RESERVE

The rugged Catalonia coastline in north-eastern Spain has bays, coves, caverns, tunnels, walls and wrecks to dive. Medes Islands is Spain´s first maritime nature reserve and has a wide range of fish and aquatic flora.

The Dofi (Dolphin Cave) site has a bronze statue dolphin and several tunnels. Illa Pedrosa, towards l’Escala, is a large tunnel full of coral and good site for scorpionfish and lobster. Cap Creus National Park, Cadaques, Tarragona, Palamos and Roses are worthy dive sites too.

YEAR-ROUND SCUBA DIVING AT CANARY ISLANDS

The Canary Islands are a chain of seven volcanic islands about 100 mi. west of the Morocco-West Saharan border. Warm waters make the islands good for diving year-round.

The islands’ volcanic origin makes unique underwater sceneries (lava flows, pumice rocks). Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura have diving spots, but Tenerife offers variety.

The Condesito wreck still has its hull, cabin and engine room still intact. It’s a fun dive and you will see trumpetfish, moray eels, indigo damselfish, and blue stingrays. Los Chuchos, or The Rays dive site, has big fish. It’s one of the most impressive dive sites in Tenerife, more than 20 rays at a time can be seen swimming with you, as well as silver jacks and occasionally the huge North Atlantic snapper. Palmar Cave, The Aquarium, Coral Archs are just some of the standouts in over 50 different dive sites in Tenerife.

Gran Canaria Island was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. You can dive all sides of the island and you might find some of the 11 endemic species living here. Amadores Bay, Pasito Blanco Reef and the cave of La Catedral are just some of the popular dive sites.

Lanzarote is famous for its caves, tunnels and walls, where angel sharks, armored sea robins and butterfly rays can be found. Costa Calero has three purposely sunk wrecks. The Atlántida Tunnel, the largest volcanic tunnel in the world, La Cueva de los Verdes and Jameos del Agua, are definitively places to visit. At Fuerteventura, try spotting angel sharks at El Cabezon, The Muelle Profundo has incredible garden eel beds.

DIVE OPERATORS LISTED IN SPAIN

Abyss Fuerteventura / Amarilla Divers / Busseing Pallars / Dolphins Diving / Kenna Eco Diving / Manta Diving Lanzarote / Scuba Yaci Dive Resort PADI / ZOEA Mallorca