Spain
Spain is a popular diving destination offering Mediterranean diving. Many diving resorts are popular holiday centres in their own right and divers will benefit from the wide range of accommodation and tourist facilities while non - diving partners will find plenty to do.
The main diving areas in Spain are the Balearic Islands and the Medas Islands off the Costa Brava. Additionally, the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean offer many opportunities for divers. Spain is also a good jumping off point for diving in Gibraltar.
Possibly the most popular mainland site is the Medas Islands, a group of 7 islets located at the northern end of the Costa Brava, less than a mile off shore from the picturesque and friendly coastal town of Estartit. There are two main islands, Meda Gran and Meda Petita together with numerous large outlying rocks, pinnacles and spectacular caverns caused by erosion. The islands are also the home of a huge marine park reserve and consequently, there is an abundance of sea life including octopus, grouper, scorpion fish, rays, shoals of jacks, sea bream, barracuda and many more species. The currents are gentle and the depths at most sites between 6 and 20 metres. Many dive operators offer day trips from Estartit to the islands. All in all, an excellent dive destination with attractions for divers of all grades and levels of experience.
While the remainder of Spain's Mediterranean coast is less well known among divers, it offers a selection of dive sites with reefs, caves, caverns and wrecks. Some dive sites are accessible from the shore while others require boat trips. One of the highlights is the Marine Reserve at La Herradura near Almunecar that boasts a wide selection of marine life.
Dive operators can be found in Estartit, Fuengirola, Marbella, Nerja, Torremolinos and El Morche and other resorts along the Costa Blanca like Calpe and Torrevieja. Most resort towns will have dive operators.
Non-diving partners will enjoy the opportunity to sit on the beach or to partake in a wide range of activities on offer in the well-established tourist resorts. Spain is probably still the favourite holday place of British holidaymakers - it is a short flight away and from April through November you can be reasonably sure of warm, sunny weather. Allied to this, the food is both delicious and cheap as is the local wine. Spanish resorts generally have wonderful sandy beaches, a good range of hotels and are very family friendly - you will find your children welcomed even in quite upmarket restaurants.
THE CANARY AND BALEARIC ISLANDS
The Canary and Balearic Islands are increasingly popular diving resorts and have their own pages.
COUNTRY FACTS
Getting There: Spain and the Canaries are well served by international airports. You can find scheduled flights, charter flights and no-frills flights to Spain from nearly every airport in the U.K. Most flights take around 2 hours. Car ferries also run once or twice weekly from UK to Bilbao and Santander on Spain's north coast. A car and passengers will cost in the region of £300 - £400 (2003 prices).
Climate: Spain's climate follows a similar pattern to that in the UK although somewhat warmer and drier. The southern part of the country and the Balearics are warmer than the north. The Canaries enjoy mild winters.
Entry requirements: EU citizens require a National passport but will not require a visa. UK citizens require a full British passport, UK visitor passports are not acceptable.
Currency: The Euro.
Age Limitations: There is sometimes confusion over regulations concerning children under 16 years of age. It is possible for children under 16 to dive in Spain although the law seems to be poorly understood and implemented in different ways in different resorts and centres. If it is intended to dive with under 16s, it is worth checking in advance to confirm that the dive operator will allow youngsters to dive.
Medical: Innoculations are not normally required but check before travelling for current advice.
Travellers should carry Form E111 but treatment under this arrangement may only be provided by doctors working within the Spanish Health Service. In some parts of the country, particularly within the outlying islands, a long journey may be required to reach a clinic or health centre working within the Health Service.
It is recommended that a photocopy of the E111 be taken. When treatment is required, show the doctor the original and hand over the photocopy.
Patients may be asked to pay up to 40% of the cost for hospital treatment even on a public ward.
Dental treatment is not normally provided under the state system.
Private medical insurance is mandatory for recompression therapy.
Tourist Information:
Spanish Tourist Office UK:
22 - 23 Manchester Square, London, W1U 3PX
Email: Info.londres@tourspain.es
090 6364 0630 - Brochure Request
020 7486 8077
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BSAC TRAVEL CLUB BOOKSHOP SELECTION
in association with amazon.co.uk
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Galicia - Chris Gait
Dive Galicia - Alison Boler
Finisterre and Points South - Jenny Fowler
Medas Islands - Paul Eyden
Estartit & Medas Islands - Nick Parsons
Nerja, Costa del Sol - Steve Lovell
Nerja, Costa del Sol - Colin Jenkins
Aguilhas - Toby Mottram
Costa Blanca - Harry Ryalls
Costa Blanca - Mary Hartigan
Costa Blanca Cabo de Palos, Murcia - Rob Robertson
Fuerteventura, Canaries - Steve Lovell
La Gomera, Canaries - Ian James
Club trip to Lanzarote - Dave Barratt
Teriffic Tenerife - Norma Pearson
Diving with the kids in Tenerife - Alison Boler
Diving with Los Gigantes in Tenerife - Derek Dear
Tenerife January 2003 - Bristol ASAC
Diving Los Gigantes, Tenerife, 2005 - John Kirk
Christmas in Tenerife - Jeanette Dodds
Ibiza, September 2003 - by Richard Whitcombe
Mallorca, January 2004 - by Paul Monro
Diving Northern Mallorca - by Cris Coates
Mallorca, A dip in the Med - by David Dixon
Menorca, Jewel of the Mediterranean - by Marc Robinson
Northern Menorca - by Andy Smith
Club Nautique, Nerja
Club Nautique Marina del Este
Happy Divers Marbella
Simply Diving, Torremolinos
ScubaDoo, Malaga
BALEARIC ISLANDS
Sea Horse Sub-Aqua Centre, Ibiza
South Mallorca Dive Center
Ulmo Diving Addaia. Menorca
Bluewater Scuba
Son Bou Scuba, Menorca
Octopus Diving Centre
CANARY ISLANDS
Davy Jones Diving, Gran Canaria
Puerto Rico Diving Center, Gran Canaria
Aquasport, Lanzarote
Bubbles Dive Center, Lanzarote
Calipso Diving, Lanzarote
Cala Blanca, Lanzarote
Island Watersports Lanzarote
M A Diving, Lanzarote
Safari Diving, Lanzarote
Marina Rubicon Diving center, Lanzarote
Island Divers, Tenerife
Los Gigantes, Tenerife
Water Education Training, Tenerife
Tenerife Dive Club, Tenerife
Atlantic Divers, Tenerife
Ocean Blue Divers, Tenerife
24-7, Tenerife
Costa Wrecka: Murcia, Costa Blanca
Our Own Sunny Backyard
Everybody's Talking About the Medas Islands
A Fine Bet For Cool Fish: Medas Islands
Nautique by Nice: Almunecar
Murcia - Closer than you think!
Viva Espana
Costa Del Dive
The Medas Touch
Conger Cavern
Diving With Deth
For More on The Balearic and Canary Islands Go to the
THE BALEARIC ISLANDS
THE CANARY ISLANDS
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