Fees · Country Guide
Mediterranean reserves, Atlantic islands, and cold-water north coasts in one country
Updated Apr 26, 2026 • 18 sources
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Spain has no single national dive fee. Costs and authorizations depend on region, reserve, activity, and whether access is individual, operator-managed, or park-controlled. The Balearic Islands have explicit recreational scuba authorization fees. Medes, Cabo de Palos, Cabrera, Cies, Ons, Cabo de Gata, and Canary reserves may rely on quotas, permits, authorized operators, no-anchor zones, and seasonal visitor controls.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen entry, visa, EES, and ETIAS checks |
Visa costs vary; ETIAS is expected at EUR 20 when operational
Short stays normally up to 90 days in any 180-day period
| Non-EU and non-Schengen travelers depending on nationality |
| Official consular, EU, or Spanish government channels |
Do not use third-party visa sites unless you have verified they are official or authorized. Check passport validity, visa waiver status, and new border systems before booking ferries or domestic connections. |
| Balearic marine reserve individual scuba authorization | Common official examples include EUR 5.24 daily, EUR 10.47 fortnightly, EUR 15.71 weekly in selected reserves, and EUR 52.82 annual Daily, weekly or fortnightly where offered, or annual | Recreational scuba in Balearic marine reserves such as Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera, and nearby islets | Balearic government electronic procedure or through authorized operators | Applicants may need a recognized dive certification, accident and liability insurance, and acceptance of responsible-diving rules. No-take areas, integral reserves, night-diving restrictions, and cave restrictions can apply. |
| Balearic sustainable tourism tax | Often EUR 1 to EUR 4 per adult per night depending on accommodation class and season Per stay | Most visitors staying in regulated accommodation in the Balearic Islands | Collected by accommodation providers | Budget for this separately from marine-reserve fees. Rates and reductions can change by season, accommodation type, and length of stay. |
| Medes Islands protected-area dive or activity fee | Often around EUR 5.30 per activity, verify before travel Per activity or per operator booking | Diving and regulated activities in the Medes Islands protected area | Usually handled by authorized L'Estartit dive or boat operators | Operator quotas, site allocations, weather, and reserve rules shape the schedule. Book early for summer and holiday weekends. |
| Cabo de Palos and Islas Hormigas reserve fee | Commonly reported around EUR 3.56 to EUR 5 per dive, verify with operator Per dive or per authorized outing | Scuba diving in the marine reserve | Authorized Cabo de Palos dive centers | Expect operator-led procedures, diver documentation checks, quotas, and site decisions based on current, weather, and reserve management. |
| Cabrera National Park access and activity control | Permit and boat costs vary Usually day-specific | Boat trips, diving, anchoring, and park access around Cabrera | Authorized boats, park channels, or licensed operators | Cabrera is a low-impact park trip, not a free-access resort zone. Confirm anchoring, landing, diving, and weather procedures before departure. |
| Cies and Ons visitor authorization | Visitor authorization is often free; ferry tickets cost extra Date-specific | Visitors to Atlantic Islands National Park, including Cies and Ons | Galicia national-park or ferry authorization systems and official ferry operators | Daily visitor caps, camping rules, anchoring restrictions, and activity controls are central to planning. Diving and snorkeling should be organized with operators who know park boundaries. |
| Cabo de Gata and other Spanish marine reserves | No universal public fee; authorization may be required Reserve and activity specific | Scuba, anchoring, boating, or access inside protected zones | Authorized operators or relevant regional or national authority | Spain's marine reserves include national and regional systems. Never assume shore access, anchoring, spearfishing, or independent scuba is allowed simply because a beach is public. |
| Lobos Island access from Fuerteventura | Visitor authorization is commonly free; ferry or water taxi costs vary Date and time-slot specific | Visitors to Lobos Island for walking, snorkeling, and low-impact day trips | Official island authorization channels and licensed ferry or water-taxi providers | Treat Lobos as a capacity-controlled nature trip. Check wind, ferry return times, sun exposure, and whether your chosen activity is allowed in the relevant zone. |
Fee
Short stays normally up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Do not use third-party visa sites unless you have verified they are official or authorized. Check passport validity, visa waiver status, and new border systems before booking ferries or domestic connections.
Daily, weekly or fortnightly where offered, or annual
Applicants may need a recognized dive certification, accident and liability insurance, and acceptance of responsible-diving rules. No-take areas, integral reserves, night-diving restrictions, and cave restrictions can apply.
Per stay
Budget for this separately from marine-reserve fees. Rates and reductions can change by season, accommodation type, and length of stay.
Per activity or per operator booking
Operator quotas, site allocations, weather, and reserve rules shape the schedule. Book early for summer and holiday weekends.
Per dive or per authorized outing
Expect operator-led procedures, diver documentation checks, quotas, and site decisions based on current, weather, and reserve management.
Usually day-specific
Cabrera is a low-impact park trip, not a free-access resort zone. Confirm anchoring, landing, diving, and weather procedures before departure.
Date-specific
Daily visitor caps, camping rules, anchoring restrictions, and activity controls are central to planning. Diving and snorkeling should be organized with operators who know park boundaries.
Reserve and activity specific
Spain's marine reserves include national and regional systems. Never assume shore access, anchoring, spearfishing, or independent scuba is allowed simply because a beach is public.
Date and time-slot specific
Treat Lobos as a capacity-controlled nature trip. Check wind, ferry return times, sun exposure, and whether your chosen activity is allowed in the relevant zone.
