The easternmost Balearic Island of Menorca moves at its own mellow pace, one that is considerably slower than the likes of Mallorca and Ibiza. As one of the quieter Balearic Islands, the Spanish island has unspoilt beaches while plunging below the water’s surface, divers will encounter impressive caves dripping with stalactites, labyrinthine-like tunnel systems as well as several wrecks for both the experienced and novice divers. There are two marine reserves on the island, featuring incredible rock formations and great visibility. The Marine Reserve of Isla del Aire is accessed via Mahón and Saint Llúis while the North Menorcan Marine Reserves is accessed from Fornells.

Scuba diving in Menorca is possible from dive centres situated all around the island, where the centre will often provide access for local shore dives as well as boat trips to dive sites further-afield in Menorca. If there are several sites that you are certain you want to dive, such as those in the North Menorcan Marine Reserve, it is recommended to choose a dive centre where you can directly access the dive location, in this case, Fornells. Otherwise, many of the dive centres provide travel to sites across the entire of Menorca.

As part of the Balearic Islands, belonging to Spain, Menorca’s water temperature ranges from 14 °C in winter to 26 °C at the peak of summer. The air temperature ranges from a minimum of 11 °C in winter to a maximum of 25 °C in the summer months, with July and August being the hottest months. High season for visiting Menorca is during July through to September when the water temperature is at its most comfortable. However, scuba diving in Menorca is possible year-round if you don’t mind the colder water - just remember to don a thicker wetsuit than you would usually.

Rainfall is greatest in September through to November, which can have an impact on the visibility at dive sites. In the summer months, however, visibility is rarely less than 30-metres.

At the Marine Reserve of Isla del Aire and the North Menorcan Marine Reserve, divers will find incredible rock formations in the shape of caves, tunnels, canyons, and holes. Many of the caves are back-lit beautifully by the ethereal blue light of the ocean, such as Funnels which has an impressive shaft of light filtering from the ceiling. The shallow waters in the bay of Fornells are ideal for the training dives in dive courses while delving into the Menorca’s waters from Cala Blanca, beginners can explore the small wreck of a steam-powered sailing yacht at 12-metres deep.

In the port of Addaia, on the west coast, dive rocky walls carpeted thick with vegetation before reaching tunnels that expand into grottos. Scuba diving from the port of the beautiful Ciutadella de Menorca, experience your first dive in the calm bay of White Cala while advanced divers can head deeper into the wreck of Malakoff. Wreck diving is possible from both the north and south coasts of Menorca, with sites suitable for every level of diver, from novice divers to technical divers.

While the underwater landscapes of Menorca do not feature thriving coral reefs, a vast array of species known to the Meditteranean Sea inhabit the area. In the North Menorcan Marine Reserve, 628 benthic species have been recorded including the endangered red coral, Corallium rubrum, and the fan mussel. Lobsters are present in waters below the depth of 25-metres while it is common to see species such as moray eels, groupers, octopus and red mullet - especially in the marine reserves where fishing is prohibited.

Many of the dive sites are a host to large schools of sea bream and barracuda while smaller reef fish such as damselfish are everywhere. At wrecks and sandy seabeds, divers may also encounter stingrays, rock cods and camouflaged scorpionfish. For those that count themselves as very lucky, you may even have the chance to witness the awe-inspiring ocean sunfish, which are known to frequent the waters surrounding the Balearic Islands.

While Menorca diving, technical divers should not miss the chance to dive the Francesquita Wreck lying at a depth of 40-50 metres. The Spanish coastal steamer sunk in 1952 sits upright in near perfect condition and is well known for attracting an abundance of marine life, both pelagic and benthic species. The most popular wreck dive of Menorca is the Malakoff Wreck sitting at a depth of 31-40 metres. The french-owned cargo steamer sank in 1929 and has since formed an incredible artificial reef thriving with barracuda, triggerfish and john dory.

A world-class cavern dive on Menorca comes in the form of the Pont D’en Gil. This 220-metre long cavern is filled with stunning displays of stalagmites and stalactites and excellent visibility throughout. With the entrance to the cavern at only 12-metres, it is suitable for novice divers as well as those that are more experienced. It is possible to surface inside the huge air-filled dome to admire the giant stalactites hanging from the ceiling. At the end of the cavern, divers reach a small beach where they can sit and share their thoughts from the dive.

On Menorca’s north coast, Swiss Cheese features a hollow reef with a maze of tunnels, chimneys and swim-throughs. A must for every cavern diver, you’ll be escorted by barracudas as you make your way through the labyrinth. North to the entrance of the cavern, it is possible to observe stingrays sleeping on the sand while inside Swiss Cheese; scorpionfish, crabs and conger eels can be witnessed.