Great shots! Is that an angle shark? Is it a shark or a ray?
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Country: Spain Area: Spain
Water Temp: 19 - 24°C (66 - 75°F)
Visibility: 15 - 30m (49 - 98 ft)
Depth Range: 1 - 100m (3 - 328 ft)
Book A Diving Trip OnlineGran Canaria was formed by volcanic eruptions and, although there are no active volcanos any more, one can easily recognise the volcanic origin: Canyons, Cliffs, dark rock formations.
Book A Dive Center OnlineThe north of the island is mainly enjoying the winds and currents coming from the north. As such the north of the island is mainly very green. Most of the agriculture and industry is therefore situated in the north of the island with Las Palmas being one of the most important Atlantic harbours for Europe and Africa.
The South of the island, protected from the winds by the island’s central mountains, is much warmer and is mainly focussing on tourism. Authentic fisher villages have maintained their original atmosphere whilst the surrounding mountain hills have been used for small and large scale holiday accommodations.
Sand art! Credit
Centrally on the island, on the east coast, everyone should visit the Dunes of Maspalomas: a large dune area stretching far into the sea with very nice white sand!
All over the island you find dive sites. In the North you will find the more adventures dives as the sea and the waves are quite rough from character. Sites like Le Catedral and the Arona (just to name 2) are accessible to experienced dives whereas dives sites like Sardina are accessible to all levels of divers.
In the South, diving is much more relax. Protected from the main wind and currents, most sites are accessible to all divers (except if doing very deep dives). Famous dive locations are Pasito Blanco Natural and Artificial Reef, Mogan Wrecks and Mogan Caves, Arguineguin Reef and the Blue Bird.
In the midle of the island (on the east coast) you find the El Cabron Marine Reserve. This protected area offers some great dive experience. Most divers perform multiple shore dives when visiting the reserve in order to enjoy the amazing underwater landscape and the great variety of marine life.
Diving all over the island can be done year round with 24° water temperature in summer and 19° in winter time. Quite some divers enjoy diving in these comfortable temperatures during the cold winter months in the northern part of Europe.
The Beach, Credit
Gran Canaria has a very mild climate, not too hot in summer, quite warm in winter. Temperatures vary from 30° in summer to 25° in winter. Having direct flights from most of the European airports, the island is very accessible with only a couple of hours flight (no jetlags). Being part of the European community, there are no special visa’s or permits required to enter the territory.
Gran Canaria has Local Shark Conservation programs & El Cabron Marine Reserve.
Nudibranchs, Cuttlefish, Trumpet Fish, Octopus, Angel Shark, Torpedo Ray, Butterfly Ray, Barracuda, Snappers, Groupers.
Most questions are answered by our
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El Cabron Marine Reserve – Accessible for experienced divers as entering and exiting can be demanding depending the weather conditions (cliffs) – Depths to 30m – Great variety of wildlife – Sea Fens (Gorgones) – Amazing underwater landscape (caves, arches)
Tufia – Accessible to all levels – easy entry from the shore – Depth to 18m
Sardina - Accessible to all levels – easy entry from the shore – Depth to 18m
Dive Canary Islands, Credit
Pasito Blanco Natural Reef – Accessile to all levels – depth to 19m – Giant volcanic table attracting lots of aquatic life (rays, trumpet fish, Cuttle fish, snappers, barracuda, octopus)
Artificial Reef – Accessible to experienced divers – depth to 24m – Concrete structures sank on a sandy bottom by the Las Palmas university to study aquatic life – in total 5 different dive sites – Lots of rays (butterfly rays, common stingrays, Torpedo Ray) and occasionally an Angel Shark (besides the normal marine file of course)
Arguineguin Reef – Accessible to all divers, Depth 16m – long stretched reef in front of Arguineguin.
Mogan Wrecks – Accessible to all levels – depth 18m -2 shipwrecks in front of the port of Mogan
Mogan Caves – Accessible to all levels – Depth 16m
Le Catedral – Accessible for experienced divers only – Depth 40m – Large rock/cave/tunnel/Arch formation north of Las Palmas
Arona – Accessible for experienced Deep/Nitrox divers – 117m shipwreck at 35meters with possibility for wreck penetration.
Most questions are answered by our
diving community within 24 hours
Las Palmas International Airport with daily flights from all major tour operators (charters) and quite some regular airliners. Frequent daily flights from/to the Spanish mainland.
Dolphin,Gran Canaria, Credit
Ferry service between Spanish mainland (Cadiz) and Las Palmas with stops to the other Canary Islands
Most questions are answered by our
diving community within 24 hours
Plenty of opportunities for eating and dining out. Depending on the choices made you can eat good for a few euros or spend a little fortune.
Seen the amount of tourists in the south, most cuisines can be found. In the north and the inland you will find the more traditional kitchen.
Gambas al Ajillo! Credit
Most questions are answered by our
diving community within 24 hours
Seen its unique biosphere, Gran Canaria is the ideal place to be for all kinds of water sports.
Dolphins performing in the show at Palmitos Park in Gran Canaria, Credit
Most questions are answered by our
diving community within 24 hours
The Spanish law imposes all certified divers to have a valid medical statement (signed by a doctor) and hold a personal diving insurance. The insurance can be part of the travel insurance. Although most dive centre can sell day pass insurances, it’s recommended for divers to bring proof of insurance when coming to dive in Gran Canaria.
San Telmo Gran Canaria, Credit
Went on a shallow dive today on Bahia Lila. Saw some great wildlife with a giant stingray coming back. Diving time about 1 hr, max depth 14m.
Dive Site: SAILBOAT - South of Gran Canaria
A somewhat deeper dive (33m) in the crystal clear water of the Atlantic. This (for us) new dive sport really came as a surprise. Although it's the wreck of a small boat, the wildlife surrounding the wreck is immense, large groups of yellow snappers, massive amount of barracudas, moray eels and on top 2 Angle sharks.
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Jaromíra Tomanová
Beautiful! Love these photos!
David E. Vinson
Nice macro shots!