BSAC TRAVEL CLUB - Trip Reports

TRAVEL CLUB

Diving in Northern Mallorca (with Scuba Mallorca)

by Cris Coates

Scuba Mallorca is friendly, well-run diving establishment based in Puerto Pollenca (on the Northern tip of Mallorca). Mick, the proprietor, is an easy going veteran of British 1960s diving and having previously run a Texas-based diving school offers a good level of customer service for what is a generally an English-speaking diving clientele.

Scuba Mallorca has a compact yet comfortable hard boat which operates with 10 divers comfortably, along with the skipper and a Dive Master. Ron was our DM for our stay, an easy going Dutchman who catered for all levels and backgrounds.

Pollenca sits between the Alcudia and Formentor peninsulas, giving access to a wide range of sites catering for all levels, with most dives taking place in the 15-25 metres range. Visibility is excellent around the 20-30 metres mark, and the geology has produced huge caves, boulders and cliffs that support an impressive marine ecosystem. Every day saw good-sized octopus, moray eels and bream, although larger species such as grouper were noticeably thin on the ground as a result of spear fishing and nets along much of the coast. On one occasion, however, dolphin were spotted swimming some 200m from the dive boat.

Diving in early June brought about blazing sunshine and hot surface conditions although in water the temperature was around the 17-18 degrees mark, so even in June my drysuit was required, though a good wetsuit (and hood!) would suffice. The temperatures I was assured would soon warm up.

For those looking for deeper, adventurous diving it is best to contact Scuba Mallorca in advance, as they cater to a passing holiday trade whose level of diving may not suit the more adventurous diving crowd. Saying that, over the 5 days, I felt that the mix of dives, depths and locations would more than satisfy the vast majority of UK divers. In between dives (each trip goes out for 2 dives) a snack is provided on the boat, which helps to break the surface interval and is a pleasant way of passing the morning.

Back on shore, the shop is well stocked and Jessie runs a fantastic website and booking service. The shop is situated some 200 metres from the harbour and the town is well equipped with shops, bars and restaurants (of the fish and chip variety). There are good beaches and plenty for non-divers to do. Scuba Mallorca can also offer information on accommodation.

All in all it is a great spot for diving, other operators can be found in the area, generally catering for the German/Spanish market, but I found Scuba Mallorca to offer an enjoyable, well-run dive package perfectly suited to the interests of British Divers whether you are BSAC, PADI etc.