Over the past 20 years, Mallorca in Spain has protected its shoreline and established marine protected areas to safeguard the island’s marine life. Notably, the El Toro Marine Reserve, located between Magaluf and Port Andratx, has considerably elevated the abundance and variety of underwater species since its institution in 2004. With over 60,000 hectares protected, Mallorca is without doubt one of the European leaders in creating Marine Protected Areas.
Diving El Toro, Certainly one of Mallorca’s Marine Protected Areas
As a result of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) exist to guard marine life, these spots are supreme for diving. Contemplating the complete shoreline of El Toro is a Marine Protected Space, diving right here affords an unimaginable expertise.
On a ship dive from Santa Ponca to El Toro island, we noticed barracudas searching within the shallows, three groupers hovering above seagrass meadows, and an astonishing variety of sea bream shifting between the beautiful underwater panorama.
Shore dives throughout the El Toro Marine Reserve, corresponding to Ses Penyes Rotges and Port Adriano, present visibility of 10 to twenty meters (30 to 66 ft). Faculties of salema swim amongst rock formations, whereas octopuses conceal on the outskirts of their dens.
How To Get To El Toro’s Marine Protected Space
El Toro’s MPA is a 2952-hectare reserve that stretches from Cap de Cala Figuera to Puntas des Castellot. This shoreline is positioned only a 40-minute drive from Palma de Mallorca Airport, the place rental vehicles can be found. Some dive facilities supply transfers from close by inns and resorts, which regularly present transfers from the airport. Public transport and taxi companies are additionally accessible.
Different Marine Protected Areas in Mallorca
- Cabrera Island Marine Reserve: Positioned a one-hour boat experience away from Mallorca, the pristine shoreline of this island is house to spectacular marine life.
- Migjorn Marine Reserve: This marine reserve is on the southern coast of Mallorca. It’s house to a wealthy number of marine life. You will discover over 200 species of fish, in addition to dolphins, whales, and turtles.
- Malgrats Islands: The Malgrats Islands are two uninhabited islands off the west coast of Mallorca throughout from the bay of Santa Ponça. They’re identified for his or her seagrasses and various marine life.
- Cala Ratjada / Llevant: This space was declared an MPA to counter the consequences of economic fishing. It’s now house to greater than 900 species of marine animals and vegetation.
- Sa Dragonera: That is an uninhabited island on the west coast of Palma Mallorca identified for its crystal-clear water. It’s house to a 50-meter (150-foot) vertical wall the place divers can expertise spectacular marine life and distinctive rock formations.
Restrictions on Divers and Guidelines for Defending the MPAs
Divers normally require permits to dive within the MPAs of Mallorca. Due to this, it’s simpler if divers take part in an organized tour with a licensed operator. Any touching or disturbance of the marine wildlife is strongly discouraged and sometimes prohibited. After all, this shouldn’t be an issue for any PADI diver. (In some areas, spearfishing is allowed with a allow.) Communicate to an area PADI Dive Heart to search out out extra.
Exterior the Marine Protected Areas
Whereas the marine life can nonetheless be spectacular outdoors of the MPAs (corresponding to our encounter with an eagle ray searching on the sand), the diving situations are typically higher inside them. The reserves have fewer traces of human exercise and considerably extra pristine diving situations.
Different Advisable Diving Areas in Mallorca (Exterior the Marine Protected Areas):
- Isla del Sec: The world round Isla del Sec, an island southwest of Palma, is fashionable amongst divers due to its shipwrecks. Count on frequent sightings of giant swarms of barracudas.
- Palma Wrecks: The 4 largest wrecks of the island, together with sunken cargo ships, are positioned close to the port of Palma at a depth of 28 meters (94 ft). This can be a paradise for knowledgeable divers.
- Sa Madonna: This dive web site is thought for its enormous cavern, 20 meters (66 ft) in width, that begins at a depth of seven meters (23 ft). It’s named after a statue of the Madonna that may be discovered right here. You’re additionally more likely to see octopuses, groupers, moray eels, and sea breams.
When To Dive in Mallorca
The most effective time to dive is from Could to September, when water temperatures vary from 20 to 26°C (68 to 79°F) and visibility is superb. This era can be nice for exploring Mallorca’s wealthy marine biodiversity. You’ll be able to anticipate to expertise sightings of huge colleges of fish, rays, and the occasional dolphin or turtle.
Exterior this season, Mallorca’s underwater world is beautiful, too. With water temperatures averaging round 14°C (57°F) within the colder months (December to April), drysuit diving turns into a worthwhile ability. A number of PADI dive facilities in Mallorca supply the PADI Drysuit Diver course. This course permits divers to discover the deeper and colder waters, reaching depths of as much as 30 meters (100 ft) whereas staying snug. This course opens up new dive spots and ensures a snug diving expertise in colder waters.
Contemplate diving within the Marine Protected Areas in Mallorca in your subsequent journey. The marine life may maintain a couple of shock, and if the water is just too chilly, a dry go well with is all the time an choice.
This weblog was written by Visitor Author Gunnar Oberhösel, a German PADI Freediver and PADI Professional primarily based in South Africa. He loves touring and exploring dive websites all over the world. For extra details about his expertise diving in Marine Protected Areas in Mallorca, attain out to Gunnar right here.
