5 Reasons to Dive in Menorca

If you are looking to include diving in your holiday, then Menorca is a fantastic destination whether you are a beginner or have more experience. The island has an array of stunning dive sights with abundant wildlife, caves and shipwrecks to explore. Unlike its neighbour Mallorca, Menorca’s coastline remains relatively undeveloped and the island has been a designated UNESCO Biosphere since 1993. This makes it a special place to explore without many of the more commercial elements found elsewhere. Still not convinced? Well read on and discover 5 reasons you should go diving in Menorca.

#1 Wildlife

Menorca has a healthy protected biosphere that allows a variety of sea life to flourish in its turquoise blue waters. Its reefs are home to barracudas, moray eels, conger eels, amberjacks, moon fish, lobsters, nudibranchs and so much more! It is one of the best-preserved natural habitats in the Mediterranean and is centred around the Northern Marine Reserve. Here you have the chance to see hammerhead sharks, 628 species of seaweed and 35 biological communities.

#2 Caves and chimneys

The coastline of Menorca is pocketed with caves, caverns, funnels, tunnels and chimneys, creating an exciting array of spots to explore across the island. One of the biggest caves is the Cathedral Cavern at Cap d’en Font at 24 metres deep. The light penetrates right to the back of the cavern as it is almost open to the surface and you can swim to the ‘altar’ at the back. Another favourite is the Belfry, again at the Cap d’en Font. It has a series of impressive columns and is one of the most beautiful dives on the island. There are many more and you will not be disappointed by the experience!

#3 Shipwrecks

The island has a long maritime history and over the years its sometimes dangerous waters have seen its fair share of shipwrecks. The largest is the Malakoff, a French freighter than sank after a collision in 1929 and is now an artificial reef. It is between 32 and 38 metres deep and has a flourishing eco-system which includes eels, moon fish and barracudas. There is even the wreck of a German war plane from the Second World War that crashed in 1943! These historical relics make Menorca an exciting place to dive for all levels!

#4 Clear warm waters

The waters of the Mediterranean surrounding Menorca offer warm water diving especially in the summer when water temperatures can be around 28 °C. The clear waters mean that the summer sun penetrates to great depths of up to 30 metres, making it a perfect location for beginners diving. You can easily see the abundant colourful wildlife, reefs and mysterious caves and caverns.

#5 Variety of dive sites

Over the 216 km of coastline you will find more than 25 dive sites including reefs, shipwrecks, seas caves, caverns and much more! Some of the most popular spots are the Gran Canyons, the reefs around Cala Blanca and the Lighthouse. You will find dive sites suitable for levels of experience around Menorca with a variety of different dive schools to help you make the most of your experience.

One of our favourite schools is Binibeca Diving on the island’s south coast in Cala Torret. They lead daily dive trips in the Marine Reserve of Isla Del Aire, where you can find the infamous caves of Cap d’en Font! Many sites are just a 10 minute boat trip from the school and with professional local instructors you will see the best the island has to offer. If you want to build on your skills, you can also participate in PADI courses at all levels from beginner to professional qualifications.