Divesites

Divesites in front of Las Salinas (Salinas del Carmen) at Salinas Reef
- one of the most spectacular diving areas on the Canaries -

The approximately 1.5 kilometer long rocky reef is home to 12 very rugged dive sites, all suitable for several dozen dives, without the feeling of "I've already dived here!". The reef is the end of a deep-sea ditch that ascends here on the coast and comes to an end.

La Emboscada

• Depth: 7 – 40 m
• Current: moderate - strong (drift)
• Waves: unprotected
• Travel time: 15 - 20 min
• Difficulty: beginner - advanced

This dive site above the reef is very close to the coast. The beautiful underwater landscape with impressive rock formations, the possibilities to swim through them and the great depth differences make every dive here very variable. Close to the reef, you can observe large sardine swarms hunted by yellowtail mackerels. Further out in the sandy area we meet sting rays and eagle rays.

Camino de altura

• Depth: 7 – 40 m
• Current: moderate
• Waves: unprotected
• Travel time: 15 - 20 min
• Difficulty: beginner - advanced

Here you will find some very nice swim throughs outside the reef. Close to the big wall there are a few cool overhangs, in which groupers feel comfortable. Larger fish such as tuna, bonito, yellowtail mackerel are also common in this area. In the sand, you are likely to discover rays or angel sharks.

El Muellito

• Depth: 7 – 40 m
• Current: moderate - strong
• Waves: unprotected
• Travel time: 10 - 15 min
• Difficulty: beginner - advanced

The reef begins here at a depth of 7 meters and thus offers the escaping sardines protection from hunting amber jacks and blue perch. At a depth of 23 meters there is a wildly rugged gorge that can be dived to a length of about 12 meters. The reef drops steeply at this point very quickly. Ideal hunting grounds for barracudas and tuna fish!

El Tazar

• Depth: 12 – 35 m
• Current: moderate
• Waves: unprotected
• Travel time: 10 - 15 min
• Difficulty: beginner - advanced

Huge swarms of monkfish are often found here on the reef's edge. A little further into the deep blue depths swarms of large barracudas can be found circling. A bit deeper between the rock formations you can find, for example, grouper, parrotfish, sea bass and yard eels.

Tesoro negro

• Depth: 12 – 30 m
• Current: moderate
• Waves: unprotected
• Travel time: 10 - 15 min
• Difficulty: advanced

Dark and mysterious. The name of the dive site is fitting: bizarre black corals grow on the reef walls. The wall is home to very beautiful sponges, anemones and nudibranches. At the foot of the wall under the overhangs you can see fields of peacock feathers and cylinder roses. On the sandy bottom in front of the reef, you will find sting rays.

El Portal

• Depth: 12 – 35 m
• Current: moderate
• Waves: unprotected
• Travel time: 10 - 15 min
• Difficulty: advanced

The rocky wall with a swim through leading out into the deep blue depths is a little bit in front of the reef itself. Here one has the best views to see big fish: from tuna fish with a length of 2 meters to swarms of big amber jacks which are up to 1.80 meters long and up to the whale sharks with their cute spots, the biggest fish in the area.

El Mirador

• Depth: 12 – 38 m
• Current: moderate
• Waves: unprotected
• Travel time: 10 - 15 min
• Difficulty: advanced

We must first cross a ravine here in order to arrive at a somewhat advanced rock formation. Here, with the view into the deep blue, swarms of bonitos and amber jacks pass by. Between the rocks the eagle ray rests and floats in search of food. Amongst the columns morays and conger eels can be found hiding.

El Laberinto

• Depth: 12 – 38 m
• Current: moderate
• Waves: unprotected
• Travel time: 10 - 15 min
• Difficulty: advanced

The name says it all: the labyrinth is a wild underwater landscape, which is still surprising after many dives. Barracuda, bonito, angel sharks and can be seen here. At the edge of the reef there are usually huge swarms of sardines, which are hunted and chased by tuna.

La Pirámide

• Depth: 14 – 39 m
• Current: moderate - strong
• Waves: unprotected
• Travel time: 10 - 15 min
• Difficulty: advanced

A fight between teenagers is not a rarity here: Behind the reef's edge at a depth of about 26 meters, a whole band of half-grown groupers is waiting between the rocks to tussle with free swimming morays. Close to the pyramid you sometimes meet sea turtles who are in search of food. Further out on the sandy sea floor the chances are good to see one of the big sting rays with a 2 meter span.

El Monasterio

• Depth: 14 – 36 m
• Current: moderate
• Waves: unprotected
• Travel time: 10 - 15 min
• Difficulty: advanced

A whole labyrinth of rocky gorges awaits you behind the reef's edge. They remind us of the narrow walls of a monastery. Between the rocks you can find stately octopuses and large sepias. In front of the rocky passages on the bright sandy bottom, various rays search for food. Quite often, amber jacks and barracudas also spend time here. On the walls there are lots of small animals, corals and anemones to discover.