Explore El Hierro
Isla del Hierro, the smallest of Spain's Canary Islands, offers a unique diving experience in the North Atlantic Ocean. This remote island, located to the southwest of the archipelago, is a haven for those seeking tranquility and adventure away from the bustling tourist hotspots. La Restinga, a quaint village, serves as the gateway to this underwater paradise, where crystal-clear waters and dramatic volcanic landscapes await divers of all levels.
The dive sites around El Hierro, particularly within the Mar de las Calmas Marine Park, are renowned for their breathtaking topography and abundant marine life. Divers can explore a variety of environments, from vibrant reefs and steep walls to volcanic formations created by an underwater eruption in 2011. This event has enhanced the biodiversity of the area, attracting species like tunas, stingrays, dolphins, turtles, and even elusive whale sharks. These encounters make diving here not just an activity, but a journey into a vibrant marine ecosystem. With numerous dive centers and resorts, both guided dives and courses are readily accessible, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience for every diver.
Dive Activity
Diving in El Hierro
With the volcanic rock characteristics of most of the dive sites, divers experience a truly 'out of this world' adventure. There are multiple dive sites featuring canyons, overhangs, arches, pinnacles, boulders, plateaus, and several steep drop-offs. Around the island, there is a dramatic drop-off reaching down to 300 meters/984 feet. Some of the more unique features include a large lava tongue and a significant sea mountain at El Bajon, one of the most famous dive sites here. Night dives are conducted from the harbor, which itself is a unique dive site.
Top Wildlife Sightings in El Hierro
In 2011 there was an underwater volcanic explosion which essentially completely regenerated the marine environment of this area and the biodiversity became much richer. This attracted many more species which divers are now able to admire. In between the dark, rocky topography are multiple coral reefs which really create colour pops made up of Black and Yellow Corals, Anemones, Sponges, Hard Corals and Soft Corals. Surrounding these corals are species such as Seahorses, Octopus, many species of Crustaceans, Moray Eels, Flatfish, Groupers, Tuna, Barracuda, Parrotfish and Stingrays. Some of the larger species include Devil Rays, Sea Turtles, Angel Sharks and some of the seasonal visitors on the luckiest days are Manta Rays, Dolphins and Tiger Sharks.
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 approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
1.9k Sightings
J
73
F
101
M
146
A
152
M
122
J
79
J
197
A
284
S
242
O
248
N
187
D
86
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
367 Sightings
J
13
F
26
M
25
A
29
M
22
J
12
J
28
A
47
S
35
O
53
N
60
D
17
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
165 Sightings
J
9
F
17
M
13
A
5
M
1
J
12
J
1
A
13
S
22
O
34
N
19
D
19
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 250
Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets
2.3k Sightings
J
94
F
114
M
138
A
186
M
122
J
109
J
235
A
338
S
292
O
309
N
238
D
90
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 3
Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish
1.6k Sightings
J
73
F
71
M
111
A
142
M
86
J
69
J
188
A
235
S
196
O
219
N
182
D
73
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish
716 Sightings
J
27
F
34
M
44
A
71
M
66
J
29
J
79
A
87
S
77
O
71
N
93
D
38
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
492 Sightings
J
27
F
21
M
65
A
40
M
23
J
11
J
70
A
23
S
62
O
49
N
88
D
13
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 80
iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays
338 Sightings
J
10
F
30
M
13
A
44
M
25
J
19
J
21
A
42
S
41
O
33
N
30
D
30
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 60
iStock-Global_Pics
Spiny Lobster
252 Sightings
J
12
F
30
M
24
A
12
M
7
J
14
J
19
A
15
S
34
O
55
N
27
D
3
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 30
Shutterstock-s_a_j
Sand Eel
236 Sightings
J
8
F
14
M
15
A
16
M
12
J
14
J
31
A
40
S
24
O
33
N
20
D
9
The best Months to Dive in El Hierro
Diving in La Gomera is possible year-round due to warm temperatures ranging from 18°C–26°C/64°F–79°F. Water temperatures range from 18°C–25°C/64°F–77°F with incredible visibility throughout the year, averaging 30 meters/98 feet. The best diving months are between June and October for optimal conditions. November to January are the winter months, characterized by the most rain, resulting in the least visibility. The species inhabiting these waters are present throughout the year, except for the pelagics.
