Part of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Ibiza has always been synonymous with idyllic beaches, peaceful retreats, and vibrant culture. Below the waves, divers are also treated to equal measures of beauty, diversity, and Mediterranean bliss. We’ve rounded up eight of the top dive sites in Ibiza, so read on and get ready to extend your scuba wishlist.
Table of Contents
- Don Pedro
- Fish Factory
- Dado Pequeno
- The Lighthouse
- Cave of Light
- Margarita Islands
- Santa Eulalia Bay
- La Catedral
What You Need to Know About Diving in Ibiza
Ibiza is better known today as a party island, drawing huge crowds in the summer. But if you take one step (or one giant stride) into its clear waters, you will find a world of ocean wonders and excellent diving.
Divers can fly to Ibiza’s international airport directly from many European capitals, and getting around the island is easy by bus, taxi, or car. It’s an ideal place for a short getaway in the sun with some fantastic diving thrown in.
The liveliest of the Spanish Balearic Islands, Ibiza has a water temperature of around 22°C (72°F) during the summer months, which can drop to 14°C (57°F) during winter. April to November are the best months for diving, but be mindful that the island gets very crowded in July and August due to the summer holidays. The average temperature on land can range from 27ºC (80°F) in August to a crisp 12ºC (53°F) in January. As the island receives minimal rain all year round, it’s a great place to escape for some warm weather and a spot of diving.
1. Don Pedro, Ibiza
The name could suggest this is the titular villain in a mafia movie, but fear not, there’s no chance of sleeping with the fishes here! The Don Pedro shipwreck is a formidable beast lying on its side 26m (85 feet) below the surface. This wreck is located just minutes away from the Port of Ibiza. Measuring 142m (466 feet) in length and with a maximum depth of 46m (151 feet), the Don Pedro became the Mediterranean’s largest shipwreck when it sank in 2007. Although an unfortunate and costly mistake for the owner of the Don Pedro, PADI Advanced Open Water Divers haven’t stopped smiling since.
You can expect to be guided around the enormous propellers and the wheelhouse, but the Don isn’t accessible for penetration. It’s not uncommon to hit some thermoclines here, so plan to wear a bit more neoprene than a 5mm suit if you tend to get chilly.
Minimum level: PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
Keep an eye out for: Greater amberjack, nudibranch
2. Fish Factory/ Plataforma Mariana, Formentera
Just a 30-minute boat ride from Ibiza, you’ll find the Balearic’s fourth island, Formentera. En route to this exceptionally beautiful and peaceful island, there is a sunken fish factory known locally as La Plataforma. The structure is underwater because of a violent storm, but the seas around these islands are often calm. What’s more, it’s not unusual to be accompanied by dolphins as you journey across from Ibiza.
The dive itself resembles an underwater oil rig, with visiting dive boats mooring to the top of the platform at 11m (36 feet). With a maximum depth of 33m (108 feet), PADI Advanced Open Water Divers will drop to the bottom before spiraling their way up around the monstrous structure. PADI Open Water Divers will be restricted on how deep they can go, but it makes for the perfect deep dive during an Advanced course or even the perfect spot for an Enriched Air (Nitrox) course.
Minimum level: PADI Open Water Diver (Advanced Open Water Diver recommended)
Keep an eye out for: Conger eels, moray eels, barracuda, scorpion fish
3. Dado Pequeno, Ibiza
Remember earlier we mentioned the Don Pedro? Well, now you can meet the rock that sank it! As the huge ship exited the Port of Ibiza, it went mano a mano with Dado Pequeno – and lost. On first appearance, the little rock poking out from the Mediterranean is rather uninspiring and lackluster, but as you get closer and the depths of the sea turn from a royal blue to the most vibrant turquoise, it quickly gets the dive juices flowing. This is a dive that has it all: depth, shallows, fascinating topography, and a who’s who list of marine life. To put it into relative terms just how good this dive site is, it is always number one when dive shops discuss where to go on a staff jolly.
Minimum level: PADI Open Water Diver
Keep an eye out for: Barracuda, grouper, octopus, scorpion fish, stingray, wrasse, and amberjack
4. The Lighthouse, Ibiza
On the east coast of Ibiza, a five-minute ride from Cala Martina lies the Santa Eulalia Reef. This underwater rocky platform is surrounded by depths of 30m (100 feet) and has three unique dive sites on it. However, it is the famed lighthouse dive that grabs the most attention. It is important to note that this isn’t actually a sunken lighthouse; it’s more of a beacon used to warn passing boats of the shallow reef. Perhaps locals referred to it as a lighthouse because beacon didn’t sound as good.
In any case, the shallow platform starts at about 2m (7 feet), the lighthouse goes from this depth down to 12m (39 feet), and then there are routes to explore down to 24m (79 feet). With the dive site lying in such shallow water, The Lighthouse is an easy and fantastic site, and the marine life never disappoints.
Minimum level: PADI Scuba Diver
Keep an eye out for: Lobster, octopus, barracuda and (very rarely) moonfish
5. Cave Of Light, Ibiza
On the north coast of Ibiza, nestled between San Antonio and Portinatx, there lies a hidden gem, the Cave of Light. Known locally as La Cueva de La Luz, you can liken the cave and surrounding columns to a block of Emmental cheese. Divers are free to weave in and out of the rock formations before entering the cave, where upon entry, the most spectacularly piercing and dramatic ray of sunlight will greet you. You know the kind – the type of light likely to be booby-trapped in an Indiana Jones movie. This is definitely a dive site for underwater enthusiasts and photography addicts alike. Just make sure you avoid it on a rainy day, or you’ll miss out on all the fun.
Minimum level: PADI Open Water Diver (PADI Cavern Diver recommended)
Keep an eye out for: Shrimp
6. Margarita Island
The Margarita Island, or La Isla de las Margaritas as the locals refer to it, is a dive site located off the western coast of Ibiza. The underwater landscape stretches on with rock arch formations and crevices. Within these crevices are some of the Balearic Sea’s best marine creatures. While finning through the impressive blue waters, you’ll have a chance to encounter schools of barracuda, goliath grouper, and perhaps even bottlenose dolphins. When creating your dive plan for Margarita Island, expect a depth between 18 and 40m (60 and 130 feet). Locating this dive site is quite simple. Head towards San Antonio and San Miguel. In between, you’ll find the Margarita Island dive site.
Minimum level: PADI Open Water Diver
Keep an eye out for: Schools of barracuda, bottlenose dolphins, and goliath grouper
7. Santa Eulalia Bay, Ibiza
Santa Eulalia Bay boasts a luxurious beach, perfect for spending time in the sun. But it’s what’s underneath that should excite divers and bring their scuba diving fanatic out. In this bay, there are multiple shipwrecks. All are from unknown origins and lay around 40 meters (130 feet). While down there, you will be mesmerized by water chimneys that have light flowing in. In addition, you might see barracuda, giant bream, moray eels, and shoals of fish. Among the depths, you’ll have a chance to spot some treasures and find ancient beacons.
When planning your dive, you should prepare for depths of 12 to 40m (40 to 130 feet). You can locate Santa Eulalia Bay off the northeastern point of the island of Ibiza.
Minimum level: PADI Open Water Diver
Keep an eye out for: Barracuda, moray eels, and shoals of bream
8. La Catedral
The name pretty much says it all at this dive site! This stunning cavern dive has a wide entrance at a depth of 12 meters (40 feet). From there, it expands to a massive cathedral-like chamber. The cavern then leads into a connecting tunnel, which takes you to a second chamber known as “The Chapel.” Wherever you are in these two chambers, you won’t lose sight of the light coming in from the entrance, and you’ll be treated to a beautiful display of lights on the cavern walls.
Both rooms have air chambers where divers can surface and take in a breath of fresh air before continuing on the dive. Still, you’ll be glad to have your flashlight so you can see the shrimp and lobsters that hide among the rocks. This cavern is also one of the few places in the islands where you can find red coral, a protected species in the Mediterranean.
Minimum level: PADI Cavern Diver
Keep an eye out for: Red coral, shrimp, and lobsters
Tempted by these incredible dive sites? It’s time to dive into Ibiza. Whether you’re looking for a scuba-specific vacation or just want to add a dive day onto your holiday, locate a PADI Dive Shop and book your diving today! Alternatively, head over to PADI Travel to book your next dives easily and conveniently online.
