Palm Mar Cave, Tenerife: exploring the cave and volcanic wall

Palm Mar Cave is a site defined by its dramatic volcanic topography, presenting a range of exploration from a shallow plateau to deeper cave systems and walls. Your dive often begins on a plateau at 15 to 17 meters, serving as a natural starting point to orient yourself before descending further. This upper section offers a gentler introduction to the site's environment and can provide a comfortable area for initial exploration or safety stops, depending on your dive plan. The transition from the plateau leads to the beginnings of the site's deeper features.

As you move further, the site unfolds into a rugged wall dropping from the plateau, where you'll find various morays tucked into crevices. This wall gradually extends into deeper water, eventually reaching a maximum reported depth of 38 meters. The main cave entrance itself is situated at approximately 27 to 28 meters. Within this depth range, another notable feature is a crucifix and a statue of Madonna with the baby, placed at 27 meters to offer a blessing to fishermen. This adds a unique, serene element to the underwater landscape before one considers the cavern itself.

The cave system at Palm Mar is a series of galleries and intricate lava tunnels, extending between 16 and 38 meters. While the entrance presents clear photographic opportunities with shafts of light when the sun angle allows, deep penetration into the complex network of tunnels is not advised due to significant risk of disorientation. A small cross at the entrance serves as a reminder, reinforcing the need for caution and respect for the environment. The focus for most divers remains at the entrance and the immediate, well-lit sections.

Beyond the cave entrance, you're likely to encounter a sandy seabed interspersed with rock formations and imposing pinnacles. This area is known for species like garden eels swaying gently in the current, and you might spot angel sharks or various rays resting on the sand, particularly during winter. The walls surrounding the cave are covered in small holes, offering shelter to numerous moray eels, making careful observation worthwhile. Loggerhead turtles are occasionally sighted gliding through these deeper sections of the site.

Visibility at Palm Mar Cave is consistently good, often reaching 30 to 40 meters, which enhances the appreciation of the site's scale and topography. The clear water allows for excellent observation of the light shafts penetrating the cave entrance, creating photographic moments. This stable visibility allows for effective planning and execution of dives, even at greater depths, without concerns about sudden changes in conditions obscuring your path or points of interest.

The marine life here includes several species of rays, such as the Atlantic stingray, which frequent the cave, especially in winter for mating. This seasonal gathering provides a unique opportunity to observe their natural behaviors. While the site is a significant attraction for diverse marine fauna, it’s critical to remember that this is a natural environment. The presence of specific species is never guaranteed, but the general biodiversity supports consistent opportunities for marine encounters.