With the Atlantic to the north and the Mediterranean to the south, Spain boasts a broad array of dive options. From big blue sharks prowling off the rugged northern coast to colorful gorgonians waving gently in the warm clear waters of the much milder Mediterranean, there is something here to tempt divers of all persuasions.
Spain is renowned for its marine reserves. There are Cabo de Palos, Cabo de Gata and the Columbretes Islands in the Mediterranean and La Palma, La Restinga and Isla Graciosa on the Canary Islands in the open Atlantic. Each area has its own unique attraction and there’s enough here to keep divers fascinated for a lifetime.
Near the straits of Gibraltar, at the mouth of the Mediterranean, areas such as Granada, Málaga and Cádiz, offer diving nearly all year round.
In this transition zone from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean, marine mammals are common and there are tremendous opportunities for whale watching.
In the north, Cantabria, Galicia, Asturias and the Basque Country have colder waters, more significant tides and a bit less visibility, but they teem with marine life.
Flying in to Spain is easy if you are venturing in from afar, but you can also arrive by train or by sea. The metro systems in major cities are extensive and easy to follow, and you can take a taxi or rent a car to get out to more far flung locales.