El Rei del Mar

El Rei del Mar has been a fixture of the L'Estartit diving scene since 1990. Situated within the Hôtel Panorama, the centre provides a streamlined transition from your accommodation to the water, with equipment transported to the port by truck so you only need to walk the short distance to the quay.

The centre operates with a strong focus on marine conservation, holding multiple environmental certifications including PADI Eco Center and Green Fins. This commitment extends to their technical operations, such as using 100% renewable energy to power their modern air and Nitrox filling station.

The team is composed of highly qualified instructors and guides who are specifically accredited by the Montgrí, Medes Islands, and Baix Ter Natural Parks. This local expertise ensures that every dive is conducted with a deep understanding of the specific ecosystems and regulations of the reserve.

As a PADI Eco Center, the staff emphasises responsible diving practices to protect the Mediterranean's natural heritage. They aim to tailor the experience to each diver's needs, whether you are completing your first Bubblemaker course or exploring the reefs on a guided excursion.

The centre offers a full range of PADI training, starting with introductory programmes like the Eco Bubblemaker and Discover Scuba Diving baptêmes. For those looking to start their certification journey, the Open Water Diver course is the primary entry point.

More advanced divers can progress through various certification levels, with the centre's experienced instructors available to guide you through the curriculum.

The centre operates two 15-metre vessels, El Rei del Mar and Dos Martas. Both boats are covered to provide shelter from the elements and have a capacity for 30 to 35 divers.

Onboard, you will find essential amenities including a freshwater shower, a WC, and a sun terrace. For safety and ease of use, the boats are equipped with VHF radio, telephone, a first aid kit, and emergency oxygen. An assistance zodiac is also available for evacuations, and a lift is installed on board to help you transition back onto the boat after your dive.

The shore-based facilities are modern and designed for efficiency. The centre provides dedicated storage boxes for your kit, featuring an automatic desalinating and drying system for wetsuits.

Full equipment hire is available on-site for those not travelling with their own rig. The centre also maintains a shop for the sale and repair of diving equipment, supported by a modern filling station providing both air and Nitrox.

The reefs are characterised by vibrant fixed life, including red gorgonians and various species of Mediterranean flora. You will often find large groupers (Epinephelus) patrolling the structures, alongside lobster (Homaridae) tucked into rocky crevices.

In the open water and along the reef edges, keep an eye out for great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), dentex, and eagle ray (Aetobatus). Damselfish (Chromis chromis) are common throughout the shallower sections of the reef.

For those interested in macro life, the area hosts several nudibranch (Chromodoris willani) species and various moray eel (Muraenidae) hiding in the substrate. These smaller encounters provide a different perspective on the biodiversity of the Medes Islands.

The diving season runs from April to November. While specific current and swell data are not provided, the area is managed within a protected natural park, which helps maintain the integrity of the local marine habitats.