Explore Catalonia

Catalonia, located on the northeastern coast of Spain, offers a remarkable diving experience known for its diverse underwater landscapes and rich marine life. The region is composed of three main areas: Girona, Barcelona, and Tarragona, each providing its unique diving adventures. Catalonia's Costa Brava is particularly famous for its pristine dive sites, including the Medes Islands, a protected marine reserve teeming with vibrant fish and unique underwater rock formations. The area's limestone geology has sculpted stunning caves, tunnels, and pinnacles, offering exciting exploration opportunities beneath the waves.

The diving culture in Catalonia is well-established, with numerous dive centers offering courses from beginner to professional levels. While liveaboards are uncommon due to the proximity of dive sites to the shore, many sites are accessible via boat or shore dives. The region's most intriguing attractions include historical shipwrecks, like the El Cavour steamboat in Tarragona, which lies at around 52 meters (170 feet), providing a thrilling challenge for technical divers. Seasonal highlights include the summer months, where divers may witness unique natural phenomena like underwater “eel fights,” adding an element of surprise and excitement to the diving experience in Catalonia.

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Courses and Events

Dive Activity

Diving in Catalonia

Catalonia offers a rich tapestry of dive sites that cater to both shore and liveaboard diving enthusiasts. Notable wreck dives include the "Boreas," a sunken tugboat off the coast of Platja d'Aro, which provides an intriguing exploration opportunity for advanced divers. The Medes Islands, another popular spot, boast vibrant marine life and are ideal for shore dives, offering visibility into the fascinating underwater ecosystem.

For those seeking unique experiences, night dives in the Costa Brava reveal nocturnal marine life behaviors, adding a thrilling dimension to underwater exploration. Catalonia balances the convenience of shore dives with the adventurous spirit of liveaboard options, ensuring divers can fully immerse themselves in its underwater wonders.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Catalonia

Catalonia's marine life is a vibrant blend of species, making it a popular spot for divers. Common reef fish include the Mediterranean rainbow wrasse and the ornate wrasse, both frequently seen around rocky outcrops. Divers can also spot sea bream and damselfish, which are abundant in the region's coastal waters.

Seasonal highlights include sightings of loggerhead sea turtles, often seen in warmer months, and occasionally, divers may encounter the majestic sunfish from late spring to early autumn. While shark sightings are rare in Catalonia, the occasional blue shark may be spotted in deeper waters during the summer. Rays, such as the eagle ray, are also occasional visitors, and their presence is more likely along sandy bottoms.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Moray Eel

29k Sightings
J
162
F
107
M
175
A
530
M
1.2k
J
2.9k
J
6.9k
A
9.5k
S
4.8k
O
2.3k
N
423
D
276

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Octopus

14k Sightings
J
57
F
45
M
97
A
329
M
680
J
1.7k
J
3.9k
A
4.2k
S
1.8k
O
889
N
164
D
93

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

Barracuda

9.5k Sightings
J
23
F
9
M
10
A
28
M
273
J
984
J
2.1k
A
3k
S
1.9k
O
1k
N
180
D
46

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Grouper/Basslets

14k Sightings
J
55
F
25
M
39
A
188
M
466
J
1.2k
J
3.2k
A
4.8k
S
2.5k
O
1.2k
N
196
D
84

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

Nudibranch

6.5k Sightings
J
28
F
28
M
50
A
226
M
358
J
666
J
1.8k
A
2k
S
832
O
381
N
76
D
77

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Scorpionfish

5.1k Sightings
J
24
F
24
M
19
A
107
M
183
J
492
J
1.2k
A
1.7k
S
838
O
386
N
88
D
71

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 55

Lobster

3.9k Sightings
J
46
F
45
M
57
A
160
M
249
J
541
J
985
A
1k
S
449
O
181
N
51
D
66

Common Seahorse

3.6k Sightings
J
29
F
17
M
15
A
66
M
96
J
261
J
702
A
1.3k
S
617
O
324
N
82
D
47

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

Spiny Lobster

3k Sightings
J
17
F
7
M
1
A
73
M
161
J
339
J
713
A
1k
S
478
O
146
N
29
D
40

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 190

Conger Eel

2.5k Sightings
J
29
F
22
M
36
A
71
M
110
J
226
J
565
A
786
S
322
O
224
N
66
D
34

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

Crab

1.5k Sightings
J
7
F
13
M
6
A
28
M
43
J
144
J
385
A
571
S
148
O
98
N
21
D
19

The best Months to Dive in Catalonia

Catalonia offers diverse diving opportunities year-round, with sea temperatures ranging from 13°C–26°C/55°F–79°F. Winter months can be cooler, with temperatures at the lower end of this range, while summer brings warmer waters.

Visibility typically ranges from 10 to 30 meters/33 to 98 feet, though it may vary due to weather conditions. The region experiences the Tramuntana wind, which can impact visibility and currents, particularly in winter. Although diving is possible throughout the year, the best conditions are usually from late spring to early autumn, when winds are calmer and water temperatures are milder.

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