Spain
TOP DIVE SITES – MEDAS ISLANDSMedas Islands (Islas Medas) are located off the north eastern coast of Spain, near the town L’Estartit. The archipelago consists of several islets and two main islands – Meda Gran and Meda Petita. This area is a Marine Reserve what means that there are special regulations concerning diving. There are 10 dive sites where scuba diving is allowed. Only 400 divers are permitted to dive in this area each year.
Carall Bernat – an excellent dive site where one can meet really large groupers and other species of marine life (moray eels, gorgonians, rays). Other attractions of this zone include beautiful rock formations – walls and large boulders. This is a multi-level diver with a depth ranging from 5 to 55 m. Sometimes strong currents may appear in the area.Location: south eastern off coast of Meda PetitaType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterDolphin’s Cave (Túnel del Dofí) – two tunnels and small caves together with plenty of light from two entrances create a spectacular scenery. At a depth of 12 m divers will see a small statue of a dolphin (hence the name of this dive site). First tunnel is good even for beginners but the darker and deeper Long Tunnel is only for advanced and experienced divers. The area hosts rich marine life and is especially famous for crayfish, conger eels, red groupers and red corals. The depth ranges from 5 to 30 m.Location: east coast of Meda PetitaType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rock/sandRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterEl Medellot – this is one of the least popular dive sites in this archipelago due to the depth (30 m), poor visibility and strong currents. This is a weather-dependent dive. However, the abundant marine life makes it worth visiting. Divers may see nudibranch, octopi and groupers.Location: north of Meda GranType of dive: shore diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterEl Salpaxtot – an ideal place for beginners and a perfect spot to see beautiful gorgonians. Other marine life in this area include groupers, octopi and breams. The maximum depth is 20 m. The site is well-protected from strong currents and thus this is an easy and safe dive.Location: north coast of Meda GranType of dive: shore diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterFerranelles – this reef abounds in sea life. Divers may see breams, eagle rays, flat fish, groupers, scorpion fish, as well as a wall covered with red corals. The maximum depth is 25 m.Location: south of Meda PetitaType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sand/rockRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open WaterLa Escribana – the depth in this zone ranges from 25 to 40 m and visibility in this spot is really good. However, due to the depth, it is a spot only for advanced and experienced divers. The main attractions include underwater walls covered with red corals, as well as large groupers and barracudas.Location: south of Meda PetitType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: CMAS 3 stars, BSAC Advanced DiverLa Vaca – this is the main 30 m long cave in a huge system of caves, tunnels, walls and columns. Rocks covered with corals and shoals of fish (zebra breams, wrasses, groupers, meagres) create an excellent scenery. The maximum depth in this area is 45 m. This site is well-protected from currents.Location: east of Meda GranType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open WaterPedra de Deu – a great wall dive (20–45 m). Divers will admire rock formations covered with read and yellow gorgonians, as well as lobsters, groupers and other species of marine life. There is a small cave at a depth of 45 m, however, it is available only for advanced divers.Location: north eastern of Meda GranType of dive: boat diveSea bed: sandRequirements: CMAS 3 stars, BSAC Advanced DiverPota del Llop (The Wolf’s Paw) – an excellent zone for experienced divers. The rock arising above sea level resembles the footprint of a wolf (hence the name). The site is famous for beautiful vertical underwater walls covered with sea fans, corals and sponges. Other marine life in this area include octopi, lobsters, conger eels, moray eels, lizardfish and breams. The maximum depth is 50 m.Location: north eastern of Meda GranType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: CMAS 3 stars, BSAC Advanced DiverTasco Petit – a nice shallow dive for divers of all levels. This spot is very popular due to abundant marine life, especially barracudas, eagle rays and large groupers. The maximum depth is 35 m.Location: south of Meda PetitaType of dive: boat diveSea bed: rockRequirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water