Description
The island of El Hierro belongs to the canary islands achipel, but is the smallest and furthest away island, becoming the most surthern island belonging to Europe (Spain), still unknow for many. These is because El Hierro is the only island of the archipel that does not get any direct flights. You first have to get to any other island, preferently Tenerife or Gran Canaria, and then get a small plane to get here, making this destiny to become more exclusive.
The entire island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and it is a diving referent in Spain. El Hierro is different in every corner, finding so massive Pine Trees Forest, humid forest (Laurisilva) and desert areas where you will see the lava flows, consequence from the last volcanic eruption many years ago.
No volcanic activity has been found since a long while, making it very secure to live on it and for the tourism. The island has a very nive temperature, all year round, with an average temperature in la Restinga of 25ºC.
La Restinga also gets the least rain and most sun in El Hierro. From La Restinga, located on the southern tip of El Hierro, you will have acces to more than 20 dive sites less than 15 minutes by boat. From the world famous pinnacle "El Bajón" ,considered many times by magazines as Europe´s BEST Dive Site, to "El Desierto" home of the friendly 40 year old Grouper "Pancho". The Mar de las Calmas Marine Reserve is protected from the prevailing winds and is perfect for year round diving with visibility as much as 40m at times and rarely less than 20m. All the dive sites within the Marine Reserve are bouyed. And It' s worth to mention that because of Marine Reserve regulation, no more than 12 divers (including guides) are allowed per site/bouy. This way you will never find bunches of divers underwater.
The underwater landscape was formed by volcanic activity and very close to shore the bottom drops to more than 300m. The seabed is covered in rocky formations such as pinnacles, big drop off's, caves and tunnels. The dense vegetation on the rocks gives rise to a large diversity of life. On the bottom and hidden in the many cracks and crevasses you will find Lobsters, Shrimp, Seahorses, Black, Yellow and Palitoa Corals, Anemones and Sponges.
Swimming in the crystal clear waters you will see Tuna, Parrotfish, Groupers, Flatfish, Perches, Angel Sharks, Chubs, Triggerfish, Filefish, Sting Rays and many species of Moray Eels. Seasonal visitors to the area include Sand Tiger Sharks, Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, Dolphins and Turtles. The first 3 ones more easy to see during summer time (jul-oct) If you want to come and dive the Best Dives Sites in Europe and enjoy of relax and doing nothing in a secure and quite place, this is definetely the right choice!
Carlos from Arrecifal.
