Valencian Community Diving
The tranquil Mediterranean around the Valencian Community has long been a favourite of ocean lovers. The sparkling cerulean waters, dramatic rock formations and balmy summer weather draws in millions of tourists a year. Below the waves, the rocks create caves and reefs that are an adventurous playground for divers.
Costa Blanca
On the southern coast of Spain, lies the holiday hotspot of Costa Blanca. This long stretch of coastline has some of the most developed diving in Spain. It boasts wrecks, caves and a wealth of Mediterranean fish. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, it has something for everyone.
Diving in the Valencian Community
Diving in the Valencian Community of Spain is an underrated adventure. Though not famed as a scuba diving location, dipping below the waves will not disappoint new or seasoned divers. The Costa Blanca stretching along the south east coast of Spain has plenty of dive centres and dive resorts in various key tourist destinations. Benidorm, Alicante, Valencia, Javea and Torrevieja all have dive centres where diving courses, from introductory to divemaster, are available. Almost all are located along the coastline and offer a myriad of dive sites. Liveaboards in the Valencian Community aren’t common, due to the close proximity of most dive sites to the shore line, though several do exist around the Balearic Islands.
The luminous views of the Mediterranean Sea on the Costa Blanca’s coast have drawn in tourists for millenia. The landscapes are no less impressive below the surface - with limestone cliffs that have eroded into spectacular rock formations below the surface, creating caves, caverns and reefs that are ideal for divers to explore. Marine parks like Cabo de San Antonio boast an abundance of life while you can also find kelp forests, deep walls, pinnacles, ancient wrecks and deserted islands.
Best places to dive
Calpe Los Arcos - This collection of rocky arches creates a bewitching atmosphere. Descending to the 9m sandy bottom, you will encounter large, sunlit archways with a dazzling blue background. The arches are covered in gorgonian fans and feature groupers, morays and bass.
La Granadella - Near Javea, this shallow wall dive has several small caves to explore, one of which you can surface in. It is known for its marine life including cuttlefish, morays and octopus.
Javea Maria Claudia - Near Portixol Island, you can dive around the small island - Mona de Lilla. With a maximum depth of 22m, caves and walls to explore - this is ideal for all levels of divers.
Columbrete Islands - This marine reserve has large rocks and channels to explore on the bottom, which ranges between 5 and 30m. Schools of barracuda, groupers and lobster are seen.
Las Corvas - This sandy site has small rock formations which draw lots of macro life. Stingrays, octopus and many nudibranch and crustacean species can be found.
La Llosa - This steep wall near Benidorm has dramatic rock formations down to 30m and marine life like bright nudibranchs, octopus and sea bass. The visibility here is normally excellent - 20m+.
