LEON MARINO Dive Center, LEON MARINO Diving Center

Located in Tarifa, León Marino Dive Center puts you at the heart of the Strait of Gibraltar Natural Park. This is a unique diving environment where the convergence of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean creates a dynamic ecosystem for both pelagics and reef life.

As an SSI Diamond Center and Instructor Training Center, the shop operates at a high professional standard. They are local developers of the SSI MyDiveGuide programme, ensuring that their knowledge of the local topography and currents is integrated into every excursion.

The team consists of experienced instructors, including those with Explorer Instructor qualifications, capable of managing diverse groups. They maintain small group sizes and separate divers by experience level to ensure safety and tailored instruction.

The centre is deeply committed to marine conservation. They are an official BLUE OCEANS centre and actively support the OCTOPUS association to protect the seabed around the island of Tarifa.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering the full spectrum of SSI certifications. You can start with Try Scuba, Basic Diver, or the Open Water Diver course. For those looking to progress, they offer Advanced Adventurer, Deep Diving, and Nitrox certifications.

Professional training is a core focus, with paths leading from Divemaster through to Instructor level. They also provide specialised skills training, including Scuba Skills Update, Stress and Rescue, Navigation, and even Scooter DPV courses. For those interested in technical or specific disciplines, they offer Wreck Diving and SCR Diving options.

The centre provides full rental kit using high-end MARES equipment. For those looking to train, they offer specialized items such as dive flags for navigation courses.

Air quality is a priority here. The shop uses a BAUER compressor and is the only centre in Tarifa with the PURE-AIR certification, ensuring that your cylinders are filled with certified pure air.

The marine life at the sites is diverse, with the Oak-Moore wreck hosting an exceptional amount of life due to the low frequency of human visits. On the walls and reefs, you will find muray eels, pagres, and large schools of sardines.

Macro life is abundant across the different habitats. Divers can encounter various nudibranchs, sea spiders, cuttlefish, and octopus. The rocky areas and caves also provide excellent hunting grounds for conger eels and various species of shrimp.

Seasonal visitors include Orcas, tunas, and migratory sharks. These pelagics are a key part of the ecosystem in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Diving in Tarifa is influenced by the tides and local currents, which can vary depending on the specific site. Some locations, such as the Oak-Moore wreck, have currents that are considered appropriate for experienced divers.

The centre operates every day of the year, allowing for consistent access to the Natural Park's dive sites.