Diving in Meloneras, Gran Canaria

The underwater world of the Canaries awaits you We frequently get asked if there is any diving or snorkelling in the sea next to Meloneras or the adjoining resorts of Playa del Ingles, Sonnenland, San Agustin or Bahia Feliz in Gran Canaria. Sorry, but the answer is: not really. Meloneras and Playa del Ingles are best known for their beaches and the amazing sand-dunes behind the beach... which in diving terms means .. lots of sand and not much marine life and not much depth. Compared to the main dive sites on Gran Canaria, the beaches are like the dunes that back them up .. a bit of a desert.

There is no PADI Approved dive centre in Playa del Inglés, but Davy Jones Diving are only 20 minutes drive away Divers also tell us that they have searched for an authorised PADI dive centre in Playa del Inglés, but because the adjacent diving is poor, there is currently no PADI Approved Dive Centre in Playa del Ingles, Mapaslomas, Meloneras, San Agustin or the other resorts of the 'Sur'. It may look on the map as though we are some distance from the hotels in the South but the motorway which links the South and North of the Island means that it is quick and easy to get from Playa del Ingles to Arinaga.

scuba diving with a shoal of roncadors

But do not worry. Meloneras has always had a reputation as a sun lovers destination, and has all the attractions and facilities to make it a great family holiday destination. It is also only twenty minutes from the marine reserve at El Cabrón near Arinaga on the East Coast, regarded by all the locals as the best place to dive in Gran Canaria. There is plenty of diving, there is one of the best mixes of marine life on the island, and you can dive over ten different routes in the reserve. If you are staying in Meloneras then the place to go diving is in the El Cabrón Marine Reserve at Arinaga.

Angel Shark night diving canary islands

The El Cabrón area is famous because the volcanic reef has arches, caves, cliffs and with these varied habitats it is a marine-life hotspot where you can see almost the whole catalog of marine species from tiny seahorses to angel sharks and butterfly rays. The main advantages of diving in the El Cabrón Marine Reserve are:-

Review diving gran canaria 5* 5 Stars - "What a fantastic outfit!"
Gran Canaria diving centre recommended on TripAdvisor
What a fantastic outfit! All the staff were welcoming and helpful from the outset. Booked the advanced open water course having completed open water in UK. Day one was spent getting back into things, a couple of fun dives (no doubt testing that we weren't clowns!). Thanks Hector and Edwardo. ..... Thanks again for a fab week, we'll recommend to the world and look you up if we're in Gran Canaria again. Give us a shout if you're ever visiting West Wales, we'll throw you off some cliffs Coasteering :D Cleopatra & Jerry x

26-02-2018  Published by Tripadviser.com

We offer a free collection service for divers from Meloneras every day for divers, so that they can come here in our air conditioned mini-bus and enjoy the best diving in Gran Canaria, and be back with their family in Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas or Meloneras in time for afternoon tea.

Shoal of Roncadors, wrasse and bream diving canary islands

Nearby, Playa del Inglés has a very vibrant night-life, and plenty of reasonably priced accommodation, so you can party one night and then dive on other days, chilling out between in the dunes or shopping in the Yumbo centre.

Swim with colourful creatures in the el Cabrón marine reserve
Surprised? nudibranch diving in Gran Canaria

In summary, if you are coming here with a family and only diving a couple of days, then Meloneras is a great base from which to explore Gran Canaria. There are plenty of things to do and see including two water parks, the beach area, horse riding, jeep safaris, sky-diving and helicopter trips (to name just a few). From here it is a short journey to the El Cabrón marine reserve where you can take part in some of the best diving experiences in Gran Canaria.

diving with stingrays in Gran Canaria
Barred Hogfish found while diving in Gran Canaria


Main Hotels in Meloneras and Normal Collection Times

Hotel Name Collection Time
Bahia Meloneras 08:50-09:00
Club Riu Gran Canaria 08:50-09:00
Grand Hotel Residencia 08:50-09:00
H10 Playa Meloneras Palace 08:50-09:00
Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort Spa and Casino
(Gran Hotel Costa Meloneras)
08:50-09:00
Lopesan Villa Del Conde Resort and Thalasso 08:50-09:00
RIU Palace Meloneras 08:50-09:00
Hotel Palm Beach 08:50-09:00
Hotel IFA Faro 08:50-09:00
RIU Maspalomas Oasis 08:50-09:00

If your Hotel or apartment is not listed above, please contact us and we will confirm a normal collection time.

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