Spain
TOP DIVE SITES – COSTA DEL SOL
Cerro Gordo – in this zone, which is a Nature Reserve, divers will find several caves, caverns, chimneys, cliffs and tunnels. This is a great site for divers of all levels. Thanks to rich marine life it may be a spectacular dive. Species likely to be seen in this area include octopi, cuttlefish, congers, morays and damselfish. The maximum depth is only 18 m. Advanced divers may try cave diving in this area. An entrance to the Cerro Gordo Cavern (La Cueva de Cerro Gordo) is situated at a depth of 16 m. Inside the cavern there is a hole in the ceiling and light coming through it create spectacular views.Location: east of La Herradura BayType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterCueva del Sifón – this site is famous for unique rock formations – cliffs, walls and caves. The biggest cave (Siphon Cave) has a wide entrance and the bottom is at a depth of 25 m. The walls of the cave are covered with marine life – sponges, yellow anemones and orange corals. There are also many crabs and lobsters hidden in the crevices.Location: near La Herradura BayType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterFraggle Rock – this is a very interesting dive. Beginners may admire rich sea life – scorpion fish, nudibranch, congers, moonfish and octopi. Advanced divers can descend to a greater depth of 27 m where they will find wrecks of a small fishing boat and two cars.Location: Marina BayType of dive: boat diveRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterLa Calita – this spot is often called “Los Gigantes”. It is famous for abundant marine life and species such as octopi, moonfish, conger, morays, cuttlefish, triggerfish or nudibranch are likely to be seen there. This a great site for underwater photography. The maximum depth is 30 m.Location: east part of La Herradura BayType of dive: shore/boat diveRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterLa Torre – the most famous dive site in Marbella. The Tower used to serve as cargo loading tower in the 1950s and 60s. Now it serves as artificial reef and home to many marine species – marine, congers, shrimps, lobsters, crabs, nudibranch and octopi. There are also three small wrecks in this area. Two of them are wrecks of cargo ships and one is a wreck of a sail boat. The maximum depth is 12 m.Location: MarbellaType of dive: shore diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterLas Bóvedas (The Domes) – this is a large, almost 1 km long reef. The site is usually busy, not only because it is so popular among divers but many marine species reside here. These include groupers, octopi, nudibranch, damselfish, scorpion fish, congers, morays, wrasses, breams, sponges, corals and many others. The reef has walls, canyons and valleys. However, this site is exposed to strong currents and the maximum depth is 40 m.Location: 5 km of MarbellaType of dive: /boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterLas Piedras Altas – this spot got his name because of two high rocks. But there is much more to see – a small cave and plenty of marine life such as sea bass, lobsters and amberjacks. The maximum depth is 40 m.Location: AlmuñécarType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterPunta de la Mona – a great and deep dive. Divers may admire here beautiful marine life – moonfish, pollac, octopi, morays and congers. At a depth of 35 m there is an amazing field covered with yellow corals. The maximum depth is 50 m.Location: Punta de la Mona, near AlmuñécarType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterTres Picos – this spot comprise three large submerged rocks with swim-through arches and walls. The waters around them host many marine species such as octopi, sea wrasses, breams, moonfish and cuttlefish. This is a shallow but spectacular dive with the maximum depth of 19 m.Location: La Herradura BayType of dive: shore diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water