Description

The Canaries are warmed by a branch of the Gulf Stream, and temperatures reach about 23-24C in late summer and rarely drop below 18C in the winter. We recommend you to use 5mm full wetsuits all the year around.

Gran Canaria is rich in marine life, with a huge variety of colors, shapes and species. The waters are warm and clear all the year round, and its position in the Atlantic just off the coast of Africa gives the island a mix of species from Mediterranean, Caribbean, African and Atlantic waters. Much of the island is also surrounded by a rock shelf with depths of between 20 and 40 meters, making it an ideal depth for recreational diving. When you add to this the stunning scenery that historical volcanic eruptions have produced, and the effects of the gulf stream, you get an island with a fascinating mix of excellent dive sites.

El Cabrón or Arinaga marine reserve is one of only three reserves in the Canary Islands. This protected area is home to a number of dive sites that explore the caves, canyons and chimneys.

To name but a few: Sardina de Norte is one of the most best kept secrets of Gran Canaria. Maximum depth of 18m. It was once a busy fishing harbour, but now with the fisher men using other harbour, has been left a shelter for all the marine life from Butterfly Rays, Angel Sharks, Electric Rays, Barracuda, and the massive number of reef fish. As it is also the closest point to Tenerife and there are always large pelagic species passing through the gap between the islands.

If you love Manta Rays so be sure to see one of them at Caleta. Entry/exit are not easy but the rest of the dive is ok . Between the months of September through November you can sit on the sandy bottom and watch as shoals of Mantas fly over the top of you. If you stay still and do not make any sudden movements, then they will come very close in to the divers.

For those who are interested in cave diving we recommend Mogán Caves. With 2 entrance it looks like 2 caves but actually there is only one. Entrances are at 15m and the max depth is  21m. Lots of marine life to be seen hiding in the darkness.

For those who prefer the wrecks then Canaries got something for you especially if you want to dive big wrecks. Las Palmas in Gran Canaria is the place to dive. Two of the biggest wrecks in the Canaries (the Kalais and the Arona) are located within a short boat ride of the port and provide spectacular wreck dives for experienced divers. Or simply try The Blue Bird. This is a ferry which was sunk in an area near Mogan. She lies broken up in a depth of 47m on a sandy bottom. There are no reefs near by so all the marine life congregates around this out crop on an otherwise sandy bottom. The Blue bird is only 30 meters in length, but due to the depth this is never a problem. There are always large schools of Roncadors, Barracudas, Rays and Amberjacks, Angel Sharks, Rays and is must for experienced divers.

And for more adventurous divers, Gran Canaria has other wrecks such as the famous Alphonso XII in 55m, and other wrecks of the Gando Shoal, however tides are very strong, with narrow dive windows, and access is difficult.

WDR.