The coast of Andalusia in Spain stretches for almost 900km and is home to a large number of cities, towns and beaches with dive centres that offer diving on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Venture to Andalusia’s Costa del Sol to explore deep offshore reefs, the wreck of a crane tower which has become an incredible artificial reef, and 19th-century wrecks lying off the coast of Benalmadena. At Estepona, descend 30-metres below the water’s surface and swim-through the wreck of the SPM Nortomra or search in rocky reef corridors for moray eel, octopus, and lobster.

Scuba diving in Andalusia has plenty of opportunities for novice divers to participate in dive courses, such as at the protected bays of Marina del Este. At Tarifa, there are several training grounds with sandy seabeds for beginner divers while experienced divers can revel in the currents at deeper sites. Morroco Point is one of Tarifa’s current-swept sites, where it is possible to witness the incredible ocean sunfish as you dip in and out of overhangs and tunnels. At the easternmost coastline of Andalusia, delve into the Natural Park Cabo de Gata. Search the area for the wreck of El Arna and the Cave of the French, featuring volcanic rock formations and pitch-black caves.

For some of Europe’s best wreck diving, head to Gibraltar. Choose from air-crafts, ships and steel cannons dating back to the Roman Empire or dive the Camp Bay Conservation Site, where several vessels have been purposefully sunk to create an artificial reef. Where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean at Tarifa, experience pelagic action in crystal-clear water. Venture through labyrinth-like tunnels at ‘The Corridors’ or descend below 30-metres to experience the Wreck of San Andres. The wreck is a 150-year-old paddle-steamer which has taken the role of a refuge for pelagic fish that are in need of some rest from the currents of the Atlantic Ocean.

In Cadiz, enter by the shore at La Caleta beach to discover a vast array of historical treasures. Used as a port in the past, there is an abundance of ceramic work, 18th-century canons, and Roman anchors that can be witnessed here. Just remember not to touch anything and adhere to the scuba diver adage of ‘take only pictures, leave only bubbles’. On the Costa del Sol coastline, one of the top 10 dive sites in Spain is found in Marbella. Las Bovedas features canyons, valleys and drop-offs plummeting to 100-metres and beyond.