Underwater diving in Majorca and the Pityuses

Majorca, Ibiza and Formentera

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Underwater diving in Majorca is a very practised activity, both by the residents on the island and by the tourists who visit it. It offers a great variety of possibilities, from apnoea for beginners to dives for the most experienced divers.

There are immersions for all levels, both from the shore and by boat from the many diving centres along the coast. These centres also have all the equipment needed for hire, and they accept qualifications from the different organisations.

The waters around the archipelago stand out for their visibility, and the temperature ranges from 12–14 ºC in winter to 28–30 ºC in summer, so diving can be practised all year round.

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Diving areas

There are different diving areas, each with its own character:

Tramuntana

It is perhaps the most extensive, from Cap de Formentor, in the north, to Sant Elm, in the southwest. The rocky formations of virtually the entire coast also give a particular look under the water. The fauna is typical of the Mediterranean, and in July and September it is worth looking out into the “blue”, because pelagic species are often seen. The most outstanding spots are Cap de Formentor, Cap de Catalunya, Port de Sóller and Sant Elm.

Sa Dragonera island

This island is separated from Sant Elm by a channel about 2 km wide. Diving along the whole outer coast is excellent because of the clarity of the water and the variety of depths, where the light creates surprising scenes, especially at Cap de Tramuntana and Cap de Llebeig.

Bay of Palma

In the bay of Palma, which runs from Cap de Cala Figuera to Cap Salines, there are some highly recommended dive sites. At Illa del Sec there are several wrecks, already quite worn by time. Across the area there are more wrecks, above all fishing boats and pleasure craft, some at depths reserved for experienced divers and others easier to reach, such as the so-called “dike wrecks”, a few metres from the west breakwater of the port of Palma. They are two vessels about 65 metres long that were sunk on purpose so that trawlers would not drag close to the coast, and they have become an oasis of life in the area.

North-east

This area stretches from Cala Ratjada to the bay of Alcúdia and is known for its many caves, some of them only accessible to experienced cave divers. The bay of Pollença can be dived along its whole length; the most interesting part is the stretch beside Cap de Formentor.

East

On the coast of Manacor, from Cala Varques towards Cala Falcó, there are underwater caves that we recommend visiting only with experts, because it is a dangerous area.

Nature reserves

The creation of nature reserves along the Majorcan coast in recent years has brought a clear recovery of the seabed, especially of territorial species such as groupers, moray eels, conger eels and forkbeards, which can be seen in large numbers and make these places a must for underwater photographers. Early in the morning and at dusk, large shoals of Mediterranean barracuda and other open-sea species, such as dentex and white seabream, come inshore to feed.

Majorca offers an outstanding setting for a sport that gains followers every day.

The Pityuses

In the Pityuses the water is even clearer than on the Majorcan coast, because of the posidonia that surrounds the islands. On clear days visibility reaches 50 metres. The water temperature ranges, as on the Majorcan coast, from 15 ºC in winter to 30 ºC on the hottest days, so diving can be practised all year round.

Boats can anchor all along the coast of Formentera. The most impressive part is the north, inside the special protection area. There are caves, walls with gorgonians and wrecks, and even shallow dives that show extraordinary meadows of posidonia, considered the best preserved in the Mediterranean.

On the coast of Ibiza the islets around the island stand out. A great deal of life can be seen: groupers, forkbeard, barracuda, giant dentex, moray eels, seabream, octopus, meagre and more. There are also wrecks full of life in several places, remarkable caves, an underwater canyon and an old fish farm.

From disfrutalaplaya we recommend going with professionals, because some places, such as the caves, are dangerous. They know exactly where to anchor, they run day and night trips for every level, they have the equipment, and they give lessons to anyone who has never tried this remarkable world of diving. Those lessons are a real surprise.