Sharm El Sheikh. Thailand. Mexico. Australia. These are the locations people think when they think of diving destinations and, truth be told, they are not wrong. These are excellent diving locations, with some of the best diving in the World, however, they are all far from Europe. Mexico is at least a 9 hour flight, Thailand maybe 10 hours, and Australia over 16 hours at least. This is one of the reasons why any European based diver needs to start looking closer to home for diving experiences.
The Costa Del Sol on Spain's southern coastline has been a tourist hot spot for over 30 years, and why not? With 330 days of sunshine every year, hundreds of kilometres of beautiful beaches, countless bars and restaurants serving the very best of not just Andalucian cuisine but food from all over Europe, and yes, year-round Scuba Diving!
The Costa Del Sol may not be the top of people's diving wish list, yet, but with nearly every form of diving available within a 2 hours drive, the Costa Del Sol's diving stock is rising.
In the east you have the marine park of the Cabo Del Gato. Wonderful life and deep diving are on offer here and although technically just outside the Costa Del Sol's reach, it is definitely worth a mention.
Coming further west you arrive at La Herradura and Nerja. A top dive site for the whole of Europe, towering cliffs dropping down to over 60m means this place if a mecca for recreational divers as well as your "techies".
Moving on we arrive at the second 'capital' of Andalucia, Malaga. With a well developed and connected International Airport meaning getting here is no problem. Malaga district is also not short on dive sites itself with plenty of shallower dives ideal for the less experienced or for those learning.
Moving further on we pass Fuengirola and arrive at Marbella. Famous for its beaches and its debauchery, Marbella is still a wonderful and beautiful place to visit. Home to several dive sites, including El Torre and El Galeon, an 18th Century French warship.
Going even further west and south, we arrive at Gibraltar, the wreck haven of southern Europe. Hundreds of years of naval hsitory means a plethora of dive sites, ranging from recent wrecks sank for an artifical reef project, to Phoenician anchors long lost to the sea and now rediscovered. Gibraltar is, in my opinion, the crown jewel of diving on the Costa Del Sol.
Lastly, we arrive at Tarifa, the last outpost of Europe and Spains most southerly point. Diving off the peninsula in both the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, mean s crystal clear water, drift dives and wall dives. Absolutely spectacular with the chance of seeing Sunfish and Whales! What a trip.
Diving With Nic offers trips to all these locations and as we are conveniently located in the very middle of the Costa are one of the only centres to offer trips to every single location.
I hope you consider diving on the Costa!
Nic
