Mallorca, the largest and most populated of Spain's Balearic Islands, is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and pristine white-sand beaches. However, the island offers much more beneath its azure waters. Situated in the Mediterranean Sea, Mallorca is a diver's paradise, boasting a stunning underwater landscape filled with intricate rock formations, labyrinthine tunnels, and ethereal caves illuminated by the ocean's blue light. The island's southern coastline, near the bustling resort town of Magaluf, is particularly notable for its spectacular wrecks and easy access to three marine reserves: Islas Malgrats, El Toro, and Isla Dragonera. These reserves are thriving sanctuaries for diverse marine life, including sea turtles, seahorses, and large schools of barracuda.
In the eastern part of the island, near Cala Bona and Cala Millor, expansive areas of Posidonia seagrass provide crucial breeding grounds for various reef fish. Mallorca's dive centers are predominantly located in three key areas: the southwest coastline, centered around the Bay of Palma and Santa Ponsa; the west coast, which serves the entire western region from the marine reserve of Cala Ratjada in the north to Porto Cristo in the south; and the north coast, where divers can explore the caves near Port Pollensa and Alcudia. The southwest coast is particularly popular for diving, with numerous dive resorts offering courses that cater to everyone from first-time divers to those aspiring to become professional divers, all eager to explore and express their passion for the underwater world.
Explore Santa PonçaSanta Ponsa is a popular vacation resort in the southwest of Mallorca, situated
Explore PalmaThe City of Palma in the Balearic Islands of Spain is the archipelago’s cultural capi
Explore AlcúdiaIn addition to its underwater attractions, Alcúdia boasts a rich historical and cul
Isla del Toro is one of the four natural reserves of the Palma region, making it one of the most popular dive sites in Majorca.
Many of the dive sites on Mallorca are suitable for beginner divers yet, some of the dive sites will require divers to be more advanced - including several of the cavern dives located in the bay of Alcudia and Pollensa such as ‘S Cave’. Despite the southern and western coastline providing more accessibility for beginners, there is also an easy shore entry site in the bay of Alcudia known as ‘Alcanda’, ideal for the training dives in dive courses.From Santa Ponsa, there is the opportunity to explore three marine reserves while, in the summer months, dive trips are organised to Cabrera National Park, where divers can explore underwater canyons and towering walls. Nearby, from the bay of Palma, the Palma Wrecks can be penetrated with the chance to access the command deck and holds of the ships.On the east coast, steep vertical walls rise up from the ocean while rocky seafloors are carpeted thick with seagrass. There are several caves, such as ‘Devil’s Cave’ where it is possible to surface inside the cave and breathe fresh air in the air-pocket. At the ‘Column Wreck’, beginner divers can experience wreck diving among a 13th-Century Italian merchant ship. The site gets its name from the marble posts it was carrying which are now visible at 14-metres on the seabed.
Mallorca diving is possible throughout the entire year yet the majority of divers tend to favour the period between May and October when the water temperature is at its most comfortable. The water temperature ranges from 14°C in winter to an average of 25°C in the summer months. In the months that see cooler waters, there can still be some excellent diving to be had, with basking shark sightings more common in the winter months. If you decide to take a dip in the winter months just ensure to don a thicker wetsuit!
Visiting Mallorca between September and April it is likely that there will be some rainfall, with the heaviest during the months of November and December. Outside of these months, it is likely to find dry weather and sunshine with air temperature averaging 25°C in the peak of summer. During the summer months, keen-eyed divers are most likely to spot a seahorse clinging to a gorgonian sea fan or in seagrass meadows.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
