
Hotel Altea Paradise 1917 - Adults Only
★★
★ 9.4/10 (979 reviews)
less than 1 km away as the crow flies
Dive centre · Altea · Spain
4.9238 Google reviewsExplore the vertical walls and natural arches of the Costa Blanca with daily departures from Altea and Benidorm.
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Celacanto is situated in Altea, serving as a gateway to some of the most varied diving in the Alicante province. From the sheltered coves near the Peñón de Ifach to the deeper, more dramatic walls of the Sierra Helada natural park, the area offers a wide spectrum of underwater environments.
The centre operates daily outings, providing access to the rich biodiversity found around Benidorm Island and the surrounding coastline. Whether you are looking for the calm, shallow waters of a cove or the technical challenge of a deep wall, the local topography caters to a broad range of diving interests.
The team consists of six professional instructors dedicated to providing high-quality training and guided dives. They are affiliated with several major organisations, including SSI, ACUC, PADI, CMAS, and FEDAS, ensuring that certifications are recognised globally.
The centre places a strong emphasis on safety and comfort, working with reduced group sizes to ensure close supervision. Instruction is available through various methods, including classroom-based theory or online modules to suit your schedule.
The training programme covers the entire spectrum of scuba diving, from initial certifications to professional levels. You can complete your Open Water Diver or Advanced Open Water Diver courses, or progress towards becoming a Rescue Diver or Divemaster.
For those seeking specialised skills, the centre offers SSI and ACUC specialty courses, including Deep Diver, Wreck, and Nitrox. They also provide instructor training through ACUC and offer Espeleobuceo (cave diving) training for those looking to advance into more technical environments.
A full range of diving equipment is available for hire, allowing you to travel light if you prefer. This includes everything from regulators and BCDs to wetsuits and fins.
For those looking to extend their bottom time, Nitrox is available on site. The centre maintains a well-equipped facility to support both training courses and recreational diving excursions.
La Llosa is a premier site on the Costa Blanca, featuring a submerged shoal with a summit at 6 metres. The opposite side, the 'cortado', drops steeply to 25 metres, where you will find large schools of dentex, barracuda, and grouper.
Los Arcos in Benidorm is an excellent site for all levels, centred around a beautiful natural arch on the north face of the island. Divers can navigate through the arch at depths between 6 and 18 metres, often encountering eagle rays, octopus, and moray eels.
Nido del Águila is a wall dive reaching depths of 27 metres, suited for advanced divers. During the appropriate season, you may have the chance to spot the elusive ocean sunfish (Mola mola) along the descent.
Los Arcos in Calpe is famous for its natural rock formations and arches. The interplay of light through these structures makes it a preferred location for underwater photography enthusiasts.
And some of the dive sites the centre runs.
The local marine life is abundant, with large schools of dentex, sargos, and barracuda frequently seen cruising the walls. You will often encounter moray eels and conger eels tucked into the rocky fissures, alongside various species of octopus.
On the sandy bottoms and near the island flanks, look out for eagle rays, stingrays, and even seahorses. During the winter, fish-rat species can be found in the sand, while rason fish appear more frequently in the summer.
Macro life is a highlight of the region, with many divers spotting spiny lobster and various species of octopus throughout the rocky habitats. The biodiversity is supported by a healthy population of damselfish and salp in the water column.
In the deeper sections of the walls, you may encounter larger predators such as grouper, while the seasonal presence of the ocean sunfish (Mola mola) provides a significant highlight for those diving during the right months.
The diving area is characterised by varying depths and terrains, from shallow coves to steep vertical walls. Most sites are accessible via boat, with some areas near Altea offering calmer conditions suitable for beginners.
While the sea is generally calm, the area around the Benidorm island and the Sierra Helada cliffs can experience different conditions depending on the season. Some sites, like Embarcadero, are particularly pleasant during the winter months when boat traffic is lower.
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