Explore Basque Country

Diving in the Basque Country offers an intriguing blend of rugged beauty and vibrant marine life, ideal for those seeking a unique underwater adventure. Situated along the northeast Atlantic Ocean, its coastline is dotted with dramatic cliffs, secluded inlets, and sandy beaches, mirrored beneath the waves by rocky dive sites. The Bay of Biscay, renowned for its wild weather, offers challenging yet rewarding dives, with the Gulf Stream moderating water temperatures to an inviting 16°C–22°C/61°F–72°F throughout the year. Marine life thrives in these cooler Atlantic waters, where divers can expect to encounter an array of species, from colorful nudibranchs to playful seals. The diverse underwater landscapes include reefs, walls, and occasional wrecks, providing a dynamic backdrop for exploration. Dive styles vary, with options ranging from exhilarating boat dives to more tranquil shore entries in sheltered coves. While winter brings formidable conditions best suited for seasoned divers, summer months offer calmer seas, making it the prime season for all levels of experience. What sets Basque diving apart is its raw and captivating nature, inviting divers to explore the lesser-known spots where history, geology, and marine biodiversity converge. Whether you're a thrill-seeker navigating the waves or a curious soul discovering the serene beauty of its underwater world, the Basque Country promises an unforgettable diving experience that blends adventure with the allure of the Atlantic seascape.

Upcoming Events

Diver Level Programs / Courses

BUCEO DONOSTI

Dry Suit Diving

15 Nov 2025

Drysuit diving opens up a world of opportunities, including diving remote Arctic destinations and exploring cold-water dive sites teeming with life. Dry suit diving also keeps you warm on multi-dive days when you do not want to spend your time getting in and out of a cold wetsuit. The SSI Dry Suit Diving specialty program is the best way to become a dry suit diver and teaches you all the knowledge and techniques you need to dive safely and comfortably in a dry suit. You will learn how to use specialized equipment, like dry suits and BCs, the benefits of dry suits and how to deal with dry suit emergencies – which are unique to this type of diving. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Dry Suit Diving specialty certification.

Professional Level Programs / Courses

Buceo Hondarribia

Open Water Instructor (Instructor Training Course ITC)

29 Nov 2025

Start today - You need to be a Divemaster or equivalent to join SSI´s 3-Step Instructor Training Approach. The training process starts with joining the Assistant Instructor / Instructor Training Course combination accompanied with Digital Learning. After successful completion of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) you will enroll in an Instructor Evaluation (IE) to qualify as an SSI Open Water Instructor. This 10 day training program entitles you to teach various key SSI programs independently like Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue and Dive Guide. For those who want to take more time to learn and to gain valuable teaching experience between the training programs the 3 parts can also be taken as single steps - Assistant Instructor, Instructor Training Course (ITC) and Instructor Evaluation (IE) one after the other at own pace and with a flexible schedule.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Astillero

This site sits parallel to the coast with an east-west orientation and is characterized by three pinnacles that rise from a depth of 14 meters, up to 3 meters.

964
Logs
258
Divers
27.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Pikatxilla

This site has a huge wall with an east-west orientation and a ridge about 3-5m deep, falling to 30-32m on the north face. The south face is slightly shallower and descends to 25-26m.

1,564
Logs
315
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Cala Illurgieta

Immersion in one of the slabs that closes Kala Ilurgieta with west-east orientation. Started at about 8-10 m. depth at the top of the slab, up to 22-24m. where the flagstone dies on a sandy beach.

718
Logs
213
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Bantxa del Este

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1,003
Logs
277
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Bajo De Las Gorgonias

Low parallel to the coast, east-west orientation, in the shape of a mountain. Characteristic for the abundance of gorgonians in the southern part of the lower.

189
Logs
57
Divers
26.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ El Seno

This dive takes you into a shelter in the mouth of the port of Pasajes, formed by multiple slabs. They are extensions of the mountain that fade in the entrance channel of the port. A variety of archaeological remains are seen here.

3,284
Logs
570
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
5.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Cañonero el Tajo

Descend along the northern part of the wall where you will find the remains of this ship from the Third Carlist War, the “Cañonero Tajo“

104
Logs
37
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Cala Burtza

This is a sheltered, simple, and shallow dive, with a great abundance of life. It is located in the cove at the eastern tip of the port of Pasaia. In the sandy bottom, you can find sole and scrapie. Following the closing arm of the cove, you find abundant life and wrecks used to protect the port during various wars.

1,739
Logs
448
Divers
9.0 m
⌀ Depth
4.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Gran Cañon

This site is located in a ravine formed by two plates running parallel to the coast of Mount Ulia, oriented east to west, with a depth of 12 meters at the upper part of the plates and 22 meters at the lower part of the ravine.

30
Logs
28
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Ondartxo

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129
Logs
68
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ La Redonda

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82
Logs
49
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
5.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

★★★★☆ Las Grietas

This site is parallel to the coast of Mount Ulia, formed by numerous east-west facing slabs, with a minimum depth of 14 meters and a maximum of 30. You can find several merchant anchors here.

86
Logs
58
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★☆☆ El Colector

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78
Logs
47
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Bantxa del Oeste

Parallel to Mount Ulia near the mouth of the Pasajes harbor, this dive site has a depth of 5m at the ridge and a drop to 25m on the north wall. Full of life with countless nudibranchs, the old tower that marked the ground floor is still underwater.

104
Logs
39
Divers
26.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ Las Piramides

This site is formed by numerous poorly defined East-West facing slabs in the lower parts of Mount Jaizkibel, with three large stones that rise to a depth of up to 8 meters.

111
Logs
63
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
7.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Basque Country

The Basque Country offers a range of diving experiences, with top sites like "Cabo Matxitxako" and "Guecho." "Cabo Matxitxako" is known for its thrilling wreck dives, where divers can explore sunken ships teeming with marine life. "Guecho," a popular shore dive, captivates divers with its diverse underwater landscapes, from rocky formations to sandy patches, home to octopuses and colorful fish. Night dives in the Basque Country reveal the mesmerizing glow of bioluminescent plankton, offering a unique spectacle. The region strikes a balance between shore and liveaboard diving, catering to different preferences. Shore dives provide easy access and varied sites, while liveaboards offer extended trips to more remote and untouched areas, promising an unforgettable diving adventure.

The best Months to dive in Basque Country

The Basque Country offers diverse diving conditions throughout the year. Water temperatures range from 12°C–14°C/54°F–57°F in winter to 20°C–22°C/68°F–72°F in summer. Visibility averages around 10-15 meters/33-49 feet but can vary due to local conditions.

Diving is possible year-round, though winter storms and strong currents, especially in the Bay of Biscay, can affect diving conditions. Summer and early autumn are considered the most favorable periods due to milder weather and calmer seas.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

BUCEO DONOSTI

MUELLE DONIBANE local D1, 20110 Pasai - Donibane, GUI - ESP

BUCEO EUSKADI

PUERTO DE MUTRIKU S/N, 20830 MUTRIKU - Guipuzcoa, GUI - ESP

Buceo Hondarribia

PUERTO DEPORTIVO DE HONDARRIBIA, 20280 HONDARRIBIA, GUI - ESP