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Costa Brava, with its rugged coastline and crystal-clear Mediterranean waters, is a paradise for scuba diving. Stretching from Blanes to the French border, this region boasts an incredible variety of dive sites, from mysterious shipwrecks and vibrant coral reefs to underwater caves and towering rock formations. The rich marine biodiversity, including groupers, octopuses, and colorful nudibranchs, makes every dive an unforgettable adventure. If you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, Costa Brava scuba diving offers diverse underwater landscapes to explore, complemented by well-equipped dive centers and professional guides ready to help you discover this underwater haven.
Top 10 Costa Brava Scuba Diving Sites
Discover the top 10 Costa Brava Scuba Diving, where stunning marine life and vibrant underwater landscapes await adventurers.
1. Medes Islands
Photo: FIRSTonline / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Located off the coast of L’Estartit, the Medes Islands are one of the most famous diving destinations in Costa Brava. This seven-island archipelago is part of a protected marine reserve, ensuring that its underwater ecosystem remains thriving. Divers can explore vibrant coral formations, underwater caves, and tunnels that provide a home to species like groupers, barracudas, octopuses, and eagle rays. The crystal-clear waters offer excellent visibility, making it a great spot for underwater photography. With dive sites ranging from shallow reefs to deep drop-offs, Medes Islands cater to both beginners and advanced divers.
Location: L’Estartit
Timings: Mornings and Afternoons
Dive Centers: Costa Brava Divers, La Sirena Diving Center
2. Cap De Creus
Photo: Anthiro 57 / Wikimedia Commons
Cap de Creus, Spain’s first maritime-terrestrial park, offers an extraordinary diving experience with its rugged underwater terrain, steep walls, and fascinating caves. Situated near Cadaqués, this area is known for its dramatic geology, shaped by strong currents that bring in nutrient-rich waters, supporting a diverse array of marine life. Divers can expect to see moray eels, scorpionfish, and colorful nudibranchs hiding among the rocky crevices. Some sites feature striking swim-throughs and tunnels, adding an adventurous touch to dives.
Location: Near Cadaqués
Cost/Person: €35 (Single dive)
Dive Centers: Poseidon Roses, Sota Mar Diving Center
3. Illes Formigues
Photo: Asier Sarasua / Wikimedia Commons
Situated between Palamós and Calella de Palafrugell, the Formigues Islands are a paradise for underwater explorers. These small rocky islets are surrounded by crystal-clear waters that offer superb visibility, often exceeding 20 meters. The seafloor here consists of rocky reefs and sandy patches, creating an ideal habitat for various marine species. Divers frequently encounter schools of damselfish, wrasses, groupers, and even the occasional eagle ray. The rock formations provide great opportunities for exploration, with some offering swim-throughs and small caves.
Location: Off the coast of Palamós
Dive Centers: H2O Diving Center, Triton Diving
4. Ullastres
Photo: Gordito1869 / Wikimedia Commons
The Ullastres are three submerged mountain peaks located near Llafranc, offering some of the best diving opportunities in Costa Brava. These underwater pinnacles are covered with colorful gorgonians, which attract a variety of marine life. The three peaks descend from around 8 meters to 40 meters, making them ideal for both intermediate and advanced divers. Schools of barracudas, groupers, and lobsters are commonly seen in these waters, along with octopuses hiding among the rocks. The unique topography, featuring steep drop-offs and crevices, makes for an exciting dive.
Location: Near Llafranc
Dive Centers: Diving Llafranc, Sub Llafranc
5. Cala Montjoi
Photo: ElBullifoundation / Wikimedia Commons
Nestled in a picturesque bay near Roses, Cala Montjoi offers an excellent diving experience, particularly for beginners. The calm, sheltered waters provide great conditions for training dives, while the sandy seabed and rocky outcrops create a thriving marine habitat. Divers can observe cuttlefish, octopuses, and a variety of crustaceans in the shallow waters. This site is also popular for night dives, where the darkness reveals a different spectrum of marine activity, including bioluminescent plankton and nocturnal predators like conger eels.
Location: Near Roses
Dive Centers: Cala Montjoi Diving Center
6. Els Canons
Photo: Katona Marcell / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Els Canons, off the coast of Tamariu, is a dream for advanced divers looking for dramatic underwater landscapes. This site features impressive underwater canyons and deep vertical walls adorned with vibrant red gorgonians. The unique topography is complemented by sightings of large pelagic species such as tuna, amberjacks, and even barracudas, making for an exhilarating dive. The depth and strong currents here require experience, but the rewards are worth it. The canyons create fascinating light effects, making this an excellent spot for underwater photography.
Location: Off the coast of Tamariu
Dive Centers: Stolli Diving, Tamariu Diving Center
7. Boreas Wreck
Photo: Yair Haklai / Wikimedia Commons
The Boreas Wreck, lying off the coast of Palamós, offers a captivating dive for wreck enthusiasts. This former German patrol boat was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef and now rests at a depth of 32 meters. Over time, the wreck has become encrusted with marine growth and is home to a diverse range of sea life, including conger eels, scorpionfish, and various invertebrates. The structure is still largely intact, offering plenty of opportunities for exploration and underwater photography, making it a must-visit for experienced divers.
Location: Palamós
Dive Centers: Dive Center Palamós, Triton Diving
8. Aigua Xelida
Photo: sito.rm / Wikimedia Commons
Aigua Xelida, nestled near Tamariu, is a hidden gem known for its crystal-clear waters and fascinating underwater features. This dive site is perfect for both beginners and experienced divers, offering caves, tunnels, and rocky formations that house diverse marine life. The excellent visibility makes it an ideal location for underwater photography. The site’s varied topography offers exciting exploration opportunities, while its calm conditions ensure a safe and enjoyable dive experience for all levels of divers.
Location: Near Tamariu
Dive Centers: Stolli Diving, Tamariu Diving Center
9. El Gat
Photo: Oetzipopoetzi / Wikimedia Commons
El Gat, located off the coast of Llafranc, is named after a cat-shaped rock formation that marks the site. Below the surface, divers are greeted with a mesmerizing underwater world filled with caverns, tunnels, and diverse marine life. The rocky formations create natural swim-throughs that add excitement to every dive. This site is popular for sightings of groupers, sea bream, and occasionally even sunfish. The depth varies, making it accessible to divers of different skill levels. The combination of intriguing topography and abundant marine life makes El Gat a favorite among local and visiting divers alike.
Location: Llafranc
Dive Centers: Sub Llafranc, Diving Llafranc
10. Cap Norfeu
Photo: 44BART44 / Wikimedia Commons
Cap Norfeu, situated in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, is a spectacular dive site renowned for its dramatic underwater cliffs and vibrant marine biodiversity. The site features towering rock formations, caves, and drop-offs that create an exciting environment for exploration. Divers often encounter schools of barracudas, dentex, and colorful sponges adorning the rocky walls. The currents and depth make this site best suited for experienced divers seeking an adventurous dive. The breathtaking underwater scenery and thriving marine life make Cap Norfeu one of Costa Brava’s must-visit diving spots.
Location: Cap de Creus Natural Park
Dive Centers: Poseidon Roses, Sota Mar Diving Center
Costa Brava scuba diving offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the region’s diverse marine life and stunning underwater landscapes. The region’s clear waters, rich biodiversity, and professional diving infrastructure make it a top destination for divers of all levels. If you’re seeking thrilling underwater caves or colorful reefs teeming with life, a trip to Costa Brava with TripXL will deliver unforgettable diving experiences that will leave you eager to return for more underwater adventures.
Cover Photo: Franziska_Stier / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
