Ever considered visiting Spain? Then you’ve probably created a whole list of reasons to explore this incredible country, including food, cultural and historic sites. Moreover, you should add scuba diving to that list, too!
Spain is in the center of the Atlantic Ocean and the Meditteranean Sea. This means a lot of different dive options for you to choose from. However, Spain has an extensive coastline and, with all these diving options, it’s difficult to choose where the perfect dive site is.
Luckily for you, this article provides guides and tips that will empower you with all the knowledge you need to scuba dive in Spain.
Equipment Check: Make sure that you bring along a dive camera to capture all of Costa Brava. If you do not want to break the bank, then these affordable dive cameras are worth a look.
Iconic Barcelona scuba diving
The Catalonia region is believed to be the mecca of diving in Spain. And in the heart of Catalonia lies Barcelona – a town that is much better known for its soccer team. Why then is Barcelona a good city for diving? Location, location, location.
Barcelona is central to all the great diving spots in Catalonia. If you drive just 20 minutes from the city, you can see spectacular coral reefs, ghostly shipwrecks, and other diverse underwater habitats.
If you are going to Catalonia for scuba diving, Barcelona should be your base of operations. We recommend that you take day trips to all the great dive spots that surround the city.
Quick Tip: Combine diving excursions with one of these activities from the best of Barcelona in a day to make the most of your time in the city of counts.
Costa Brava scuba diving | Diverse coral, manta rays & more
In the northeast of Spain lies the coastal region of Costa Brava. Close your eyes and picture rugged cliffs, nature reserves teeming with life, quaint seaside towns, and cozy stone villages. You have just imagined yourself in Costa Brava.
The biggest attraction in Costa Brava is the Cap de Creus National Park. It sits on the Iberian peninsula in northernmost Spain, 25 kilometers south of France. It is a protected marine and nature reserve that boasts unspoiled underwater coves, tunnels, wrecks, and caves.
The top diving sites in Costa Brava are Dolphin’s Cave, Pedra de Deu, and Carall Bernat, which are all on the Marine Reserve island of Medes. Other great sites in Costa Brava are Puig de la Sardina, Massa D’or, Saint Prosper, El Gat, La Pedrosa, and the Boreas Wreck.
Only for Skilled Divers: The largest shipwreck on the Costa Brava is Reggio Messina. It sits at a depth of 28m to 35m (92ft-115ft).
What is the best time to dive in Costa Brava?
Since you are able to dive all year round in Costa Brava, it should be easy to choose a diving date. However, keep in mind that from September to November, it averages 80 centimeters of rainfall in Costa Brava. And from April to June, it averages 60 centimeters of rain.
The most popular time for diving in Costa Brava is May to September because the weather and water temperature are high and the visibility is good – between 10 and 30 meters (33ft-98ft).
What can you see in Costa Brava?
Thanks to the conservation efforts of Spain, there is an abundance of marine life in Costa Brava. There are thriving coral forests, very old (some are 20 years old) and big groupers, barracudas, dolphins, manta rays, sharks, turtles, octopuses and more!
Canary Islands – best spanish islands for scuba diving
The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago off the coast of North Africa. They consist of 7 islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. Each island has its own dive sites.
Located in the Atlantic, the Canary Islands boasts some of Spain’s top year-round dive sites. The crystal clear waters and volcanic seascape make for a spectacular view while you dive – not to mention all the marine and underwater plant life!
The 7 best dive sites in the Canary Islands:
- Tenerife: Los Chuchos, which translates to “rays,” is the best dive site in Tenerife. You can see over six kinds of stingrays here.
- Gran Canaria: Another top dive site is El Cabron, which is on the east coast of Gran Canaria. It was voted as one of the top ten dive sites in Europe.
- Lanzarote: This island offers the most unique dive site – the Underwater Museum. It is an underwater installment made from environmentally-friendly materials that sits at 12 meters (39ft) under the sea.
- Fuerteventura: Salinas Reef is a must-visit place for any level of diver because of its size and marine diversity. You can see spider crabs, parrotfish, and more.
- La Palma: This island is home to Las Cabras. It is a dive site that is recommended for experienced divers. Devil manta rays are common sightings here.
- La Gomera: Punta Guincho is considered the best dive site here. Famous for its underwater volcanic rock formations, which is home to trumpetfish, damselfish, electric rays, and parrotfish.
- El Hierro: This is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that has put more than 60% of the island in a protected reserve. El Bajon is the most popular site here because you can see whale sharks and rare manta rays.
Grab your scuba gear and head to Spain now!
It’s clear that Spain’s tourism extends to more than just the land. The oceans surrounding it offer some of the most spectacular diving experiences around.
If you are looking for a summer destination that encompasses more than just diving, then Barcelona is perfect for you. Make sure to take a trip to nearby Costa Brava to truly enhance your time diving.
The Canary Islands are a great year-round diving destination. For more information on when to travel to Spain, we recommend this guide of the best time to visit Spain.
