Question Everyday diving in Southern Spain?

[Ana]

Well it happened. I never imagined I'd leave South Florida but the insurance companies and the hurricanes won. I'm moving out to Spain, however going home to the Basque Country with their forever rain and cold may kill me, I'll start in the south by the Mediterranean Sea.

Will start in Valencia for a short time and decide from there. Does anyone here knows about a particular location that has practical year round diving? I first thought the Canary Islands but the Atlantic in that area is way too cold year round. Any info?

 

[Searcaigh]

One of my buddies is married to a Spanish lady who comes from the town next to Gibralter, and he dives around that area when they go to visit her family every year. He's currently in Greece at the moment, but I can find out more info when he returns at the beginning of October.

 

[boqurant]

I was chatting to some Spanish divers the other day - apparently there's reasonable diving off the south coast between Malaga and Motril. From a quick look at Google Maps there appears to be a few centers / schools too

 

[BoltSnap]

Well it happened. I never imagined I'd leave South Florida but the insurance companies and the hurricanes won. I'm moving out to Spain, however going home to the Basque Country with their forever rain and cold may kill me, I'll start in the south by the Mediterranean Sea.

Will start in Valencia for a short time and decide from there. Does anyone here knows about a particular location that has practical year round diving? I first thought the Canary Islands but the Atlantic in that area is way too cold year round. Any info?

You wanna come further south and dive with me in Libya? We are HOT all year long!!

Are you bringing your Jeep?

 

[Ana]

You wanna come further south and dive with me in Libya? I/We are HOT all year long!!

Are you bringing your Jeep?

Libya may be too far for everyday diving, but who knows what kind of exploring we'll end up doing
No Jeep, we'll bring very little. Dive gear yes, but will leave about a dozen tanks behind, I think they will be a hassle. Already having a hard time to fill them in Florida because some people have a problem with tanks older than themselves.

 

[BoltSnap]

We are not too far. Lots of antiquities underwater that aren't documented nor explored. Whole ancient cities in just 5 - 10 meters UW. Lots of wrecks from pre-Roman times to modern wrecks and everything in between. Above surface lots to see even in the deep south of Libya, the Sahara. Our desert, the Sahara or "Great Desert," is full of history and antiquities. We have pyramids, dry caves with ancient drawings, etc. In fact, apparently the oldest mummy in Africa was discovered in southern Libya. LOTS antiquities, ancient cities, all along the coastline.

 

[NaCl H2O]

Good luck and happy travels!!

 

[andrespp]

Canary Island seawater is not below 17-18 C even in wintertime. In continental Spain, I would choose Cabo de gata in Almeria or Cabo de Palos in Murcia, but the sea temperature in winter would be about 14-15C

 

[Ana]

Thanks for the info Andres

Canary Island seawater is not below 17-18 C even in wintertime. In continental Spain, I would choose Cabo de gata in Almeria or Cabo de Palos in Murcia, but the sea temperature in winter would be about 14-15C

Arrrrgg I wonder how long is going to take me to adapt to those miserable temperatures. I got rid of all my dry suits before turning 50 (some years ago) and truly don't want to get back to diving dry, it sucks any happiness I may have if I don't feel the water on my skin.

17-18 C may sound reasonable to some, but I'm only able to endure from 24 up, with 27C being my optimal water temp.
14 C ni de coña, is so out of the question I just can't. I sure hope I find a way, maybe I can travel somewhere farther south during the winter.

All my planning for the perfect retirement house in S Florida, wasn't so freacking perfect after all. I may end up having to interact with people in charters, somewhere in the world of warm water. Wonder if I can handle the struggle.

 

[Vicko]

Valencia is meh, at least to me. Marbella is ok if you want to be on the mainland. Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca are some of the best diving the Med can offer if you can ignore/join all the partying tourists in the summer season. The marine reserves are pretty much my wet dream, incredible how quickly the sea there recovered from literal thousands of years of exploitation.