Dive Academy Santa Pola

Located in the fishing village of Santa Pola within the Alicante province, this PADI 5 Star dive centre is positioned directly in the local marina. This prime location allows for immediate access to the sea, with the centre's own boats ready to transport you to the region's most significant underwater sites.

The academy serves as a gateway to some of the most biologically diverse areas of the Mediterranean. From the calm, shallow waters of the Tabarca Marine Reserve to the deeper vertical walls and wrecks found further afield, the area offers a wide range of environments for every level of experience.

As a PADI 5 Star centre, the academy is equipped to train the next generation of professionals, offering courses up to the Instructor Development Course (IDC). The team consists of highly qualified instructors who provide training in both Spanish and English.

The centre maintains a focus on small groups to ensure safety and personalised instruction. They also cater to younger divers, with introductory programmes available for children from 8 years of age.

The academy offers a comprehensive range of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Diver courses, while more experienced divers can progress through Rescue Diver and Divemaster training.

Specialist training is extensive, covering PADI specialties such as Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Coral Reef Conservation. The centre also provides technical and skill-based training, including Dry Suit diving, Cavern Diver, and buoyancy control. For those looking to enter the professional path, the IDC is available. They also offer PADI ReActivate sessions for divers looking to refresh their skills.

The centre operates its own fleet of boats, allowing for direct departures from the Santa Pola port. These vessels are used to reach various dive sites, including the Tabarca Marine Reserve, which is just 15 minutes away by boat.

All excursions are organised to provide easy access to the dive sites, with Nitrox available for use on board to extend bottom times for those who require it.

Full equipment hire is available on-site, covering everything from regulators and BCDs to wetsuits and fins. For those looking to dive at night, torches are provided.

The centre is equipped with an oxygen-enriched air (Nitrox) station, allowing divers to optimise their dive profiles. Safety is a priority, with dedicated oxygen equipment maintained on-site.

The marine life in the area is abundant, particularly within the protected reserves. You will frequently encounter schools of salema porgy (Sarpa salpa), saddled seabream (Oblada melanura), and white seabream (Diplodus sargus). Larger fish such as groupers (Epinephelus), sargos, and various species of dorades are also common inhabitants of the reefs.

The seabed is characterised by healthy meadows of posidonia, which support a vast array of life. Among the residents, you can spot various octopuses, cuttlefish, and starfish navigating the seagrass and rocky crevices.

For those interested in larger pelagics, schools of barracuda and occasional sightings of ocean sunfish can be observed. The biodiversity is further enhanced by the presence of many different species of seabream and various crustaceans.

The best period for diving in this region is between May and October. During these months, the water is typically warmer and the visibility is generally between 10 and 15 metres.

The dive sites around Santa Pola and Tabarca are known for having calm waters with little to no current, particularly in the shallower zones used for introductory dives.