FUERTEVENTURA WATER ACTIVITIES
Diving in Fuerteventura!
FUERTEVENTURA has some of the best diving in the Canary Islands and the Atlantic ocean. The marine environment is a very special one, given its close position to both the tropics and the Mediterranean, and the marine life you’ll encounter is a mix of tropical, temperate and pelagic species.
The VOLCANIC TOPOGRAPHY of Fuerteventura means that the dives sites here are very dramatic, with spectacular rock formations, drop offs, walls, canyons, swim throughs and jumbles of lava rock, as well as huge tracts of yellow sand.
You can expect to see a huge variety of marine life here – big Groupers, schools of Barracuda, Tuna and Bonito, colourful Damselfish and Rainbow Wrasse, Puffers, Filefish, Triggerfish, Trumpetfish, many varieties of Bream, Rockfish, Scorpionfish, Amberjacks and Parrotfish.
You’ll see small creatures such as Arrowcrabs, Cleaner Shrimp, Seaslugs, as well as Moray Eels, Cuttlefish and Octopus. There are Sponges, Anemones, Sea Fans, Tree Coral and Black Corals to see amongst the rocks, where you’ll also see huge Stingrays, Eaglerays and Angel Sharks swimming by, or resting in the sand.
Here are some descriptions of a few of the divesites:
EMBOSCADA
Meaning ‘the ambush’, this site is visited by all sorts of predators such as Dusky Groupers, Barracuda, Tuna and Amberjacks, coming to look for their prey. Huge schools of Sardines fly by like great waterfalls coming over the rocks.
There are some impressive rock formations, with stone pillars rising up to 12m, swim throughs, canyons and crevices. The sandy areas are home to hundreds of Garden Eels, and being close to deep waters, the Stingrays and Eaglerays are always visible out in the blue.
EL TAZAR
There’s a gigantic tower-shaped stone, originated by volcanic activity, and home to File Fish and ornate Wrasses in large numbers.
Between the rocks, you can see Groupers, Parrotfish and schools of Atlantic Damselfish, as well as Angelsharks in the sandy areas and often on top of the reef. There’s also a large stone here covered in beautiful orange tree corals and bushes of black coral.
EL PORTAL
Some amazing rock formations rise up from 28m to 14m, and along one impressive wall of rocks, a large opening resembles a huge gate or portal, giving this site its name. Swimming through takes us into deeper waters and the formidable landscape of the open sea, and the best chance to see the big fish such as Tuna and Amberjacks. The rocks here are covered with orange tree corals, many varieties of algae and you’ll see lots of Nudibranchs, Seaslugs, Bearded Fire Worms, and Moray Eels hiding in the rocks.
LA PYRAMIDE
Near deep waters, currents are common at this site, bringing with them large varieties of fish. There’s a large rock in the shape of a pyramid at 40m, with small openings and crevices sheltering Tube Anemonies and other creatures. The flora and fauna is abundant here.
EL BARRANCO
The top of the reef is at 10m, and falls to 16 – 24m. This site is named ‘canyon’ because of the narrow canyon that extends along the reef. It begins at 10m and goes to around 17m, its widest point being 70cm. The Groupers and large Maderia Rockfish gather in the small crevices. There are lots of Seabreams as well as Rays, Octopus and many other species, including the shy Trumpetfish. There’s an old harbour buoy lying on the seabed, which is inhabited by various fish and other small creatures.
CEMENTARIO DE BARCOS
At a maximum depth of 8m, and sheltered by the harbour wall, this is where Discover Scuba dives take place and new divers train during their Open Water Course. Experienced divers also like this site because of the variety of marine life to be seen. Because of the shallow depth, there’s lots of light, and colours are bright. Octopus, Cuttlefish and Squid are here, as well as Angelsharks that come in looking for protection in the rocks. We’ll occasionally be lucky enough to see a Seahorse here, hiding among the algae on the pieces of wrecks that are strewn along the bottom.
NUEVO HORIZONTE
An isolated reef to the north of the dive centre, this site is surrounded by open sea which disappears into the horizon. The edge of the reef is 25m deep, dropping down to the sandy bed at 38m. This drift dive is for advanced divers, who enjoy the landscape of the site as much as the Damselfish and big Stingrays, and the Black Coral along the wall of the reef.
