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.
Places to Explore
Costa Brava
Stretching from Blanes, 60km north of Barcelona, to the French border, the Costa Brava (or “wild coast”) is one of the most rugged and beautiful areas of Spain. This picturesque region of Catalonia features pretty seaside towns like Lloret del Mar against the backdrop of 214km of coastline.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the biggest city in Spain and the capital city of the Catalonia region. Famous for its gothic architecture, Catalan culture, vibrant food and sparkling ocean, Barcelona is the city that offers it all - and diving is no exception. The Costa Brava coast, on which Barcelona is located, has incredible natural beauty with craggy cliffs against a backdrop of cerulean ocean and getting underwater and diving is the perfect way to experience this.
Islas Medas
The many underwater caves and sea walls teeming with gorgonians give the Islas Medas a magical feel and make it one of the best diving sites in Catalonia.
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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.
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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Centers Map
L’Àmfora centre d’immersió
Puig Gros, 9, bajos, 17320 Tossa De Mar - Girona, GE - ESP
NEXTGEN DIVING TRAVEL S.L.
Carrer dels Morabos 10C - Local 2, 08004 Barcelona, B - ESP
Anemone Diving Center
PORT ESPORTIU MARINA PALAMÓS (Vial de la Cala Morro del Vedell) locales 5 y 6, 17230 Palamos, GE - ESP
DIVE CENTER PALAMOS
C/ ORIENT 15, 17006 GIRONA, GE - ESP
VARADERO DIVE
c/ Plaza Pau Casals nº10, 17220 Sant Feliu de Guíxols - Girona, GE - ESP
BEGUR DIVE
Platja de Aiguablava 4, 17255 Begur, GE - ESP
BUCEBUCEA
CALLE SANT PERE 12, 08930 SANT ADRIA DE BESOS, B - ESP
MIGUEL LOZANO GRANDE
Moll del Mestral 30, 08005 Barcelona, B - ESP
POSIDONIA DIVE
Port Balis, 08392 Sant Andreu de Llavaneres, B - ESP
DivertySub, Diving Center
Urbanización els Llorers, 17310 Lloret de Mar, GE - ESP
Subkro
Port Esportiu de Tarragona, Local LA6 y Port Esportiu de Torredembarra, 43004 Tarragona, TA - ESP
H2O
C/Albert y Pes, S/N Port Marina Palamos Local 2-3-4-5, 17230 Palamos, GE - ESP
BLANES~SUB - Diving Center
ESPLANADA DEL PORT, 14, 17300 Blanes, GE - ESP
AQUATREK
Av. Montgo 66, local 4, 17130 L’Escala, GE - ESP
DIVING PORTLLIGAT
Crt de Cap de Creus 1, 17488 CADAQUES, GE - ESP
BUCEO CATALUNYA COSTA BRAVA
Carrer del Club Nàutic, 3-5, 17230 Palamós, GE - ESP
PLÀNCTON DIVING
C/ Número Vint-i-tres, 284, local 2 (Urb. Les Tres Cales), 43860 L’AMETLLA DE MAR, TA - ESP
RAYA’S DIVING CENTER
AVENIDA CATALUNYA 21, 17320 TOSSA DE MAR, GE - ESP
TRITON DIVING LLAFRANC
Plaça dels Pins 3, 17211 LLAFRANC, GE - ESP
Vanas Dive
Av. del Litoral, 86-96 Complex esportiu La Mar Bella, 08005 Barcelona, B - ESP