Diving

DIVING SPAIN DIVING - GENERAL INFO




GENERAL INFO


General

good both for beginners and experienced divers

Scuba diving has a long tradition in Spain. The first diving centers were open here in 1950s. Many divers refer to Spain as “the Caribbean of Europe.”


Underwater

  • rock formations (caves, caverns, swim throughs, drop offs, walls)
  • reefs
  • wrecks
  • rich fauna and flora: corals, octopi, barracudas, stingrays, scorpionfish, groupers, moray eels, conger eels, amberjacks


Suit

In summer a 5 mm wetsuits are recommended and the best choice for winter is a 7 mm wetsuit or drysuit.


Risk

There are a few sea animals which can have vicious or poisonous bristles and spines. Watch out for the scorpion fish, bristleworms, sea urchins and the stingray. If you step on or touch one of these fish, look for medical attention as your reaction to the injury will depend on your general medical condition and age.


Visibility

15–30 metres


Bottom

rocky or sandy


Best time to dive

May – September; Canary Islands – all year round


Courses

Besides recreational diving for beginners, it is possible to take a PADI course (Proffessional Association of Diving Instructors), BSAC course (British Sub Aqua Club) or DSAT course (Diving Science and Technology).


PADI courses:
Open Water Diver
Adventure Diver
Advanced Open Water Diver
Rescue Diver
Master Scuba Diver
Divemaster
Nitrox
Specialities: Deep Diving, Night Diving, Wreck Diving, Underwater Navigation, Underwater Photography, Peek Performance Buoyancy


BSAC courses:
Ocean Diver – basic skills, non-decompression diving
Sports Diver – rescue and decompression diving
Dive Leader – dive leading, marshalling and rescue management
BSAC Nitrox Course
BSAC Full Instructor Course
BSAC IFC – Instructor Foundation Course
BSAC OWIC – Open Water Instructor Course


DSAT courses:
Nitrox Diver – qualifying recreational divers to use nitrox (enriched air) for no stop recreational diving
Deep Diver – introduction to deep diving
Tec Deep Level 1 – extended decompression diving
Tec Deep – technical deep diving, extended no decompression dives, decompression stop dives
Tec Trimix – qualifying divers to go to 75 m
Gas Blender
Trimix Gas Blender


SSI courses:
- Scuba update
- (Junior) Open Water Diver
- Specialities: Nitrox Diver, Deep Diving, Stress & Rescue, night diving, underwater navigation, underwater photography, boat diving, Dry suit, Wreck diving
- Advanced Diver (4 Specialities)
- Master Diver
- Dive Control Specialist
- CPR & First Aid


More info: DIVING COURSES


Prices

about 350–500 euro/initial open water course
about 40–50 euro/1 dive


Minimum age

Minimum age for scuba diving in most regions in Spain is 12 for entry level (Discover Scuba Diving) and 14 for Open Water Diver course (or equivalent).


Regulations

Regulations regarding scuba diving in Spain are not the same in all Autonomous Regions. Divers must have valid diving accident insurance. Dives from shore are permitted but there must be a boat in the water as an emergency cover.


Children

Depending on the diving centre the minimum age of a child attending a diving course is 8, 10 or 12.


Snorkelling

Snorkelling can be an alternative to scuba diving as it is really enjoyable and cheap. The minimum age is 9 years. Even in the first few metres below the surface experiencing the underwater environment can be extremely exciting. Blue waters of Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea invite to an adventure of meeting a variety of fish and other underwater creatures. One can try it independently or choose one of many snorkeling excursions offers with professional guides. There are also skin diving courses for those who are interested in equipment, techniques and safety.