Safety · Country Guide
Mediterranean reserves, Atlantic islands, and cold-water north coasts in one country
Updated Apr 26, 2026 • 18 sources
Spain is a mature dive destination, but safe planning is regional. The main risks are wind, swell, boat traffic, heat, cold-water exposure, dehydration, and assuming one reserve's rules apply everywhere. Use established operators, carry insurance proof, respect marine protected areas, and make conservative no-fly and surface-interval decisions when combining islands or city transfers.
Use an SMB on boat dives and shore dives where boat traffic exists. Confirm oxygen, radio or phone coverage, emergency plans, and nearest recompression pathway before remote or north-coast diving. In the Canaries, choose sites by wind exposure and surge. In the Mediterranean, watch thermoclines, fishing lines, and crowded summer boat lanes. In northern Spain, treat swell, tide, and cold exposure as primary planning factors. After scuba, keep conservative no-fly intervals before inter-island or mainland flights.
Spain has strong emergency medical coverage in major cities and coastal hubs, but island, park, and remote-cove incidents still depend on fast communication and operator procedures. Call 112 for emergencies, use Salvamento Maritimo for maritime distress, and contact DAN Europe for dive-specific medical guidance. Hyperbaric access exists in several coastal and island regions, but the nearest chamber and transfer route should be confirmed locally before technical, deep, remote, or multi-day dive plans.
Regional permits are not optional
Spain's protected areas are managed by different authorities. Balearic reserve diving, Medes access, Cabrera, Cies, Ons, Cabo de Palos, Cabo de Gata, and Canary reserves can involve permits, quotas, no-anchor zones, or operator-only procedures.
Wind and swell change the best coast
Tramuntana, levante, Atlantic lows, and Canary trade winds can close one side of a region while another remains diveable. Build backup days into northern Spain, Balearic, and Canary itineraries.
Boat traffic in summer coves
July and August bring rental boats, ferries, paddle craft, and crowded anchorages. Snorkelers and freedivers should use visible buoys, avoid channels, start early, and choose supervised sites.
Cold water in the north
The Basque Coast, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia are Atlantic trips. Even in summer, use appropriate exposure protection and expect conditions around 13°C to 20°C depending on place and month.
Do not touch, feed, chase, or collect marine life. Avoid standing on Posidonia or dragging anchors across seagrass. Follow reserve briefings exactly: some zones ban scuba, apnea, cave entry, anchoring, night diving, spearfishing, or any extraction. Canary angel sharks and rays should be observed passively. Whale-watching trips should use authorized operators and keep respectful distances. In national parks and Natura 2000 areas, visitor caps and no-take zones are conservation tools, not inconveniences.
Do Not Do This
Avoid entering when regional permits are not optional. Confirm local briefings before committing.
| Contact | Role | Phone | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 112 Spain | General emergency number for police, ambulance, fire, and rescue coordination | 112 | 24/7 |
| Salvamento Maritimo | Spanish maritime search and rescue, use for distress at sea | +34 900 202 202 or VHF Channel 16 | 24/7 |
| DAN Europe Emergency Hotline | Diving emergency medical advice and coordination for DAN Europe members and emergency callers | +39 0642115685 | 24/7 |
| Local dive operator emergency plan | Nearest oxygen, boat recall, chamber referral, and evacuation instructions | Ask before diving | During booked dive operations |
