Nautico Dive Academy

Nautico Dive Academy is situated directly on the seafront of the Arguineguín promenade in Gran Canaria. The centre is positioned to take advantage of the island's subtropical climate, which offers warm, clear waters for diving throughout the year.

The academy is uniquely equipped with the only diving pool on Gran Canaria, providing an ideal environment for skill development and training. From this base, you can access a variety of underwater environments, ranging from shallow volcanic reefs to deeper wreck sites and underwater caves.

As a PADI affiliated centre, the academy provides instruction in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, and German. This multilingual approach helps ensure that students can follow technical training and safety briefings clearly.

The team focuses on personal attention and safety, requiring all divers to complete a health declaration and carry dive insurance. The centre also facilitates the acquisition of mandatory Spanish dive insurance on-site.

For those looking to progress professionally, the academy offers structured Divemaster training programmes lasting several weeks.

The academy offers a comprehensive range of PADI courses, starting with Discover Scuba Diving and Bubblemaker for beginners. For those seeking certification, the full progression from Open Water Diver to Advanced Open Water Diver is available, alongside the Rescue Diver course and Divemaster training.

Specialty training is a core part of the curriculum, with courses including Nitrox, Deep Diver, Night Diver, and Wreck Diver. The centre also hosts EFR (Emergency First Response) courses and the Project Aware environmental programme.

The centre operates a private boat for daily excursions, providing access to the best sites around the coast. These trips include two dives per day, with snacks and water provided during surface intervals. The boat allows for both sheltered reef explorations and more adventurous dives away from the shore.

The centre provides full equipment hire for those not travelling with their own kit, including BCDs, regulators, and wetsuits. For those needing specific items, individual pieces such as masks, fins, or torches can be rented.

Nitrox is available for use, and the centre provides dive computers and torches for hire on a per-dive or per-day basis. After each excursion, there are facilities available for rinsing and maintaining your equipment.

The volcanic reefs and rocky walls are home to a diverse range of fish, including large schools of yellow snappers, barracudas, and sea bream. You will often see trumpetfish (Aulostomidae) hovering near the reef, alongside various species of grouper (Epinephelus) and jacks (Carangidae).

Macro life is abundant in the crevices and among the anemones. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), octopus (Octopus vulgaris), and various species of shrimp, including cleaner shrimp (Lysmata). Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda) and many species of crabs and lobsters inhabit the more sheltered areas.

On the sandy bottoms and near the larger structures, you can encounter rays (Batoidea), including stingrays and butterfly rays. The area is also known for sightings of angel sharks (Squatina), particularly during the winter, as well as turtles and various species of sharks.

Diving in Gran Canaria is possible year-round due to the subtropical climate. The local sites vary from easy, shallow entries in sandy bays to more challenging coastal entries and boat-access sites. Some sites, such as El Cabrón, are best suited for more experienced divers due to the nature of the entry and exit.