Written by Scuba Instructors ~ DIVEIN.com’s Complete Guide to:
Diving in Mallorca is often overlooked by the millions of visitors each year. But that only benefits the hundreds of scuba divers that return to the place. A Spanish island located in the stunning turquoise and calm Mediterranean Sea, Mallorca is known to be ‘the crown jewel’ of Spain’s Balearic Islands. It is one of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean, known for its food, wineries, absolutely beautiful coastlines and the many secluded calas or coves.
Accompanied by a long and exciting history of travelers and seafarers in the waters of the Mediterranean, the underwater world here holds mysterious and ancient gifts for divers to behold.
By: Erica Armstrong
We gave our Dive Team one job:
Find the best and most popular Dive Sites in Mallorca
Here you go, now you should be all set for your next dive trip to Mallorca.
Located just off the island of Mallorca, Maria’s Cave provides an experience unlike any other in Mallorca. This dive site is suitable for all levels of diving. Enter through the mouth of the cave at only 30ft (10m) and experience the light filtering through the opening in the roof, as it cascades down the walls.
Things to See:
Soft Posidonia completely covers the sandy and rocky bottom of the cave and even parts of the walls. Look in between these flowing grasses to find nudibranchs of electrifying colors. This dive site is rating among the top as it boasts huge schools of fish hovering in and around the cave mouth, such as damselfish and the Cow Bream.
Located on the East of the island and within the Cala Ratjada Marine Reserve, the dive site is not to be missed on your Mallorca adventure. This dive site begins at an island (or rock) above sea level and descends to 100ft (30m) deep.
Things to See:
As the name suggests, this dive site is really like a big block of Swiss cheese. Beneath you, you will see perforations which are really holes and tunnels that often interconnect. Penetrate some of these tunnels and small caves with your guide and experience the dancing light. Look out for nudibranchs and various moray eels along the walls and the floor. Barracuda and groupers are usually spotted here also.
Labyrinth is a series of underwater caves, holes and tunnels found near Cala Bona. Suitable as a shore or a boat dive, this site can be experienced by the novel diver to the advanced. The maximum depth is 30ft (10m) and visibility, like most sites in Mallorca, is a stunning 100ft (30m) on a regular day.
Things to See:
Navigate these caves and tunnels with your dive guide and you will be sure to see the beautiful light dancing around you as it filters through the holes and cracks from the surface. Look out for Moray Eels and Common Lobster as they are hiding amongst the rocks. Due to the depth and shelter of the caves, schools of Flathead Grey Mullets are often found here.
This small island found to the south of Mallorca is not to be missed on your diving adventure. Under construction since 1991, this island has strict regulations on visitors. Due to the conservation efforts and natural isolation, this dive site boasts some of the most abundant schools of fish to be seen in Mallorca. It is recommended that you book in advance as only two dive boats are allowed to visit these waters per day.
Things to See:
Known for visibility up to a whopping 165ft (50m), this dive site’s topography is exceptional. Explore the (300ft) 90m sea wall and the diversity of fish and sea creatures. Look out for red starfish and seahorses amongst the colorful soft and hard corals. You may even witness (or listen to) a pod of dolphins as they swim by and some Loggerhead turtles munching on the sea grass and algae.
The Josephine MS is a wooden boat that collided with another vessel while crossing the channel between San Telmo and Dragonera. Sunk in 1993 and found at a depth of 108ft (33m), this wreck is only suitable for advanced divers and this site is only accessible on calm days.
Things to See:
Enthusiastically known as ‘Pecios Congrios’, this wreck is loved by locals and tourists due to the abundance of Moray Eels that come out of their hiding places once the divers arrive. Some of the Eels are up to 6ft (2m) in length! Look out for Dusky Groupers, Common Lobsters and Scorpion Fish as you explore this wreck.
The Island of Malgrats is located off the south-west coast of Mallorca in the dedicated Magrats Island Marine Reserve. This wall dive site starts at mere depths of 30ft (10m) and descends to 118ft (36m). Suitable for all levels of diving and a short boat ride from the coast, this dive site is very popular.
Things to See:
Due to the conservation efforts, this dive site is rich in biodiversity. Look for schools of Barracuda in the midwater, and huge Bream coasting along the reefs. Look beneath you to see the red hard corals and sponges adorning the reef. Be sure to look out for collections of clean shells to find the hiding places of Octopus!
This dive site is made of fallen boulders from Mallorca island itself. Located along the south-east coast, this dive site starts from the surface and reaches the sandy bottom of 80ft (24m).
Things to See:
Amongst these boulders, look for small hiding places of Slipper and Common Lobsters. You can find shrimps, octopus and crabs sheltering in these rocks. Follow this sloping wall to the bottom where you will meet the sand. Cruise along this profile and you may find some Stingrays swimming alongside you or meet a family of cuttlefish hovering over the sand.
Also known casually as the wrecks in front of Palma, this island’s capital and major port has a long history of seafarers. Beneath the surface, you can find a ship graveyard of the four biggest wrecks in Mallorca. Starting at 92ft (28m) and usually visibility of 30ft (10m), this dive site is only suitable for advanced divers.
Things to See:
These four shipwrecks are located very near to each other, and so it is really multiple dive sites in one. Since 1980 these ships have been laying on the sandy bottom of this port and so have attracted an abundance of life. While exploring the largest wreck of an impressive 196ft (60m) in length, follow your dive guide as you penetrate the engine and passenger rooms. Expect to see hundreds of damselfish around the stern, and encrusting sea-anemones and corals covering the outside of the ship.
This dripstone cave located near the Island of Dragonera is known for its unique air bubbles that have been trapped over time. This island has had long-time conservation efforts since 1995 and so the quality and abundance of sea creatures found here are truly breathtaking.
Things to See:
The natural topography of this site is simply a feature of its own. Explore the caves with your dive guide and you may see many varieties of shrimps, lobsters and eels. Look out for the groupers that tend to dwell in the shadows. Surrounded by beautiful soft corals and sponges, you may see some feather stars and tube anemones. Once back to the open ocean, it is possible to witness the ethereal Spotted Eagle Ray.
Located near the dreamy beaches of Cala Varques, Pirate Cave is just a short boat ride away. A large opening from the ocean side, Pirate cave offers a huge entrance followed by tunnels, subterranean lakes and chambers, not to mention the impressive stalactite formations! At a maximum depth of 20ft (6m), this site is best toured as a snorkeler.
Things to See:
Perfect for beginners and snorkelers, this dive site boasts visibilities up to 165ft (50m)! Let your guide show you all the fantastic features of this cave and provide you with enticing information all the way through. Be aware that the unique geological formations may take your breath away!
Found on the west part of Palma Bay, this dive location has plateaus, a sloping wall and shipwrecks. A submarine used to operate here and had divers regularly feeding the fish for the spectacle. Since the submarine has left, the fish still congregate and look for a treat from visiting divers!
Things to See:
From 16ft (5m) to 65ft (20m), divers can see nudibranchs crawling along with the colorful corals and shoals of Damselfish and Sea bream. Look out for the perfectly camouflaged Scorpion Fish hiding in the sand or rocks. In between the rocks, it is common to spot Conger and Moray Eels in their homes or stopping by cleaner shrimps to have their teeth flossed.
Located near Alcudia Bay, this is an unspoiled dive spot. Only accessible when the sea is calm and reaching a depth of 65ft (20m), this dive site of tunnels is only available to intermediate and experienced divers.
Things to See:
Just a short boat trip from shore, this dive site is really an extraordinary set of tunnels made of a sandy bottom. The name was given to this dive site as it seemed to represent the mysterious temple of the sea God of Neptune. Look out for schools of Barracuda and Triggerfish hanging out in the midwater. If you are very lucky you may see some Stingrays or Spotted Eagle Rays when facing the open ocean!
This unique dive site is only reachable by boat as you leave the mainland and travel out into the Badia de Pollença to reach Forementor Island. This site is only for intermediate and advanced divers as the maximum depth is 72ft (22m) and some strong current can sometimes be experienced here.
Things to See:
Descend onto this colourful reef that is bursting with life! Really spend time looking in all the nooks and crannies beneath and between rocks to find critters and hiding fish. Octopus are commonly seen here as their give-away is the beautiful Octopus Garden that you can find outside their den! Follow your guide as they take you through an incredible arch and around a cave and encounter a lounging school of Barracuda!
With depths ranging from (26-78ft) 8-24m and lots of opportunity for penetration and single file diving, this site is unique and only suitable for intermediate to advanced divers.
Things to See:
As the name suggests, this site features many caves and tunnels beginning at 26ft(8m) with long swimming passages. These brush against a wall that dips to 90ft (28m) in depth, along which you can see many small critters, like Nudibranchs, and various worms and Sea Slugs. This impressive wall also features lots of plants like Sea Fans and Gorgonians which seemingly stick out from the wall demanding your full attention! In addition, this dive site also features a unique air pocket portion, where you can surface within the cave and check out your surroundings.
Take a boat trip out with the local dive shop of your choosing and head towards Cap de Formentor. This magnificent site named Luis Candela Cave is found here. This cavern is relatively shallow, starting at 15ft (5m) with a large round entrance. A good place for beginners looking to explore the world of cave diving.
Things to See:
This site offers the opportunity to see a Halocline which is caused by the mixing of fresh water from the mountains and salt water from the oceans. This site also features the majestic Stalactites and Stalagmites which is the focus of this dive. Head into the cave and you will reach an air pocket where your guide will encourage you to surface to get an idea of the magnificence on the cavern. You can see some fish along the way such as the Brown Meagre and the Forkbeard. Once back out in the open ocean, maximising your depth at 60ft (18m), you will pass the wall and some rocks that are completely covered in Posidonia. Here you can find Nudibranchs or Barracudas.
Punta de L’avançada is a beautiful dive site that is suitable for all levels of diving. Take a short boat trip and soon you will find yourself beneath the cool and calm waters found at this site. Featuring a sandy bottom with long stretches of Posidonia and some large (and small!) rocks hosting a variety of life.
Things to See:
Descend into the turquoise waters and reach your maximum depth of 40ft (12m). Cruise along this sandy bottom and look for Cuttlefish, Octopus, Rays and even the perfectly camouflaged Seahorses. The large fields of Sea Grass attract a great many species of shellfish and crabs, while also creating a safe place for juvenile fish to grow.
Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands, has a long and interesting history. The culture, the cuisine and the lifestyle demonstrate the richness of this past.
After the Romans conquered the island from Carthage, trade accelerated industries that played to the strength of the climate. Olive plantations, vineyards and salt mines expanded. Successive conquests by North African and European powers only added to the distinctiveness of trade and produce, bringing new fruits and vegetables.
The ruins of the past and the continued legacy of Mallorca’s artisanal industry are still to be seen.
One of those legacies is the sound infrastructure found on the island today. It’s easy to get to Mallorca by plane–Palma de Mallorca has an international airport–and it’s easy to get around the island. It’s also possible to take a ferry from both France and Spain.
There are both all inclusive resorts and plenty of rental companies that have a vast portfolio of villas in different sizes, class and location.
When not diving, Mallorca has amazing food. Its an impressive collection of Catalan foods, unique menus with local delicacies and refreshing beers (when wine isn’t in the cards) brings people back again and again.
Speaking of visitors, there are roughly 10 million of them each year. That’s 10 times the local population. Luckily the island is still pretty big and one can find a spot that meets their criteria easily.
It’s also very possible to keep a low profile while on land, focusing solely on getting to these amazing dive sites.
The island’s history is worth reading up on though, as it has been instrumental in creating a fairly unique culture.
