What are the best diving spots in the Balearic Islands?

Sailing in the Balearics on one of our many yachts will inevitably take you to the island of Mallorca, which will also undoubtedly be your point of departure. Before heading off to Menorca, or to sample the charms of Ibiza, take the time to explore this large island, and above all to don a wetsuit, snorkel and flippers, or even a scuba tank and regulator, and explore the real jewels of Majorca: its underwater world.

The sea is warm, the waves and eddies gentle, and this coastline seems designed to please everyone: from first dives to deep dives, everything is possible on Mallorca. To whet your appetite, we’ve compiled a list of some of Mallorca’s must-see dive spots, some of which you can reach from your yacht.

Cala Morlanda

Throughout the summer, but also in spring, the water temperature fluctuates between 20 and 28 degrees. This mildness means you can explore the seabed with just a mask, flippers and snorkel. Depths rarely exceed 15 metres throughout the bay, so oxygen tanks and wetsuits are not required.

This deep, narrow bay offers two landscapes: on one side you’ll find sandy seabeds and underwater meadows, ideal for snorkelling, and on the other side, a vertical wall of crevices and caves that can only be visited by the most experienced. It is in the shade of this wall that you will be able to observe an abundance of fauna!

Maria’s Cave

At just 10 metres deep, Maria’s Cave, off the island of Mallorca, is an ideal dive site not only for divers who enjoy swimming while exploring caves, but is also accessible to beginners. A large opening in the cave lets in streams of natural light that illuminate the schools of small fish hovering inside. There are also beautiful valleys full of posidonia around the cave.

Labyrinth

This dive site takes its name from a system of caves, holes and tunnels surrounded by posidonia and seagrass meadows. Once inside, it seems you can get lost, but the light guides you through.

It’s a volcanic canyon with arches and a huge cave beneath the main reef. The entrance is 20 metres deep and you come out lower down, at around 35 metres. This is a dive for experienced divers. But there are plenty of schools that can take you there safely.

Cala Marmassen (the left side)

This is perhaps the most beautiful bay on Majorca. You start from the beach and dive close to the shore, as the bay is fairly narrow. The left side is shallow, very bright and the sandy paths take you on a relaxing dive.

Cala Marmassen (the right side)

About twenty metres down the right-hand side of this bay, looking out to sea, you can make a deeper dive in the shadow of the mountain above. As you explore this site, you may be lucky enough to find the only hole in the cliff that allows the sunlight to come down… but you’ll have to look a little harder!

Swiss Cheese

The famous Swiss Cheese dive site off Mallorca’s east coast features a very interesting rock formation. With only a small part of the rock emerging from the sea, the main attraction is the submerged part. Perforated by numerous holes and tunnels reminiscent of holes in cheese, the site takes its name from this aspect. The tunnels run in different directions and communicate with each other, making it an endless playground for divers. If underwater photography is one of your hobbies, this is exactly the place to be!

Cala Egos

Here’s a dive that takes your breath away: it’s a huge wall, set on a bed of white sand, onto which large boulders have fallen, creating a fascinating playground and an almost lunar landscape, in total immersion. The wall makes the site very reassuringly quiet, and all you have to do to stay safe is walk along the wall. The flora and fauna are impressive.

Punta Cala Serena

This dive is fairly straightforward and accessible to all, and not very deep. Whether you’ve chosen to snorkel here or the depth appeals to you, this is a great spot for a group dive, so there’s something for everyone. Fauna and flora are present on every level. Continuing towards Farralló, two submerged reefs with interesting cracks and holes let you admire the marine life that likes to hide here.

Cala Gran

This site has two diving spots. On the right, looking out to sea, you’ll find a long, wide cave 20 metres long, with a spectacular entrance and a 6-metre ceiling. On the left, on the other hand, you’ll find a number of crumbling rocks at the foot of a perfectly vertical wall. Thrills guaranteed!

The list is far from exhaustive, and there are plenty of sites dotting the coastline of this magnificent island!