We start this dive from the jetty or the bay – depending on current and group dynamic. We dive straight out from the coast towards the reef. As we go down to about 25 metres we pass a small wreck (Little Titanic). Have a look around as there are usually at least one or two groupers close to the wreck.

We then follow the right shoulder along a beautifully festooned reef wall. Don´t forget to watch your depth, as you could easily reach 40 metres, but this would eat into your bottom time and you may miss out on the coral. It´s best to continue along the wall in a depth of about 25 metres until you reach a small overhang, right on the lip of the reef. Use your torch under the lip to highlight the beautiful Orange Soft Coral growing there. Hop over to the sand side and again look underneath for another view of the Orange Coral and see if you can also spot the three or four Sea Pens!

Watch your air and no-deco time and if necessary just drift back a little shallower towards the sand area, where you can find large shoals of fish, octopus, sea horses, cuttlefish etc. among the many abandoned mooring lines and rock formations as you make your way back to your safety stop and the exit.

You start this dive with a giant stride from the jetty or the steps if you don´t like to jump. Then you dive along with the rocks to your right hand side. After about 10 minutes you reach about 15m depth. Here you turn left to make your way down to the edge of the reef.

If you are an OWD you follow the edge of the reef to a max. depth of 18 m and you can view the blue hole from above. Looking down the reef is beautiful and gives you an impression of flying over a sheer cliff wall.

The advanced divers can dive over the edge of the reef to a depth of about 25 m – 30 m and follow the reef wall till you reach the blue hole. It does not matter which way you go to the blue hole – from the left or from the right – as both sides have many crevices in the wall. This is where many tube dwelling anemones, cloaked anemone crabs, morays and cleaner shrimp can be found. Eyes peeled for large groupers, barracudas and trumpet fish which often patrol the reef wall. The reef wall is also home to many species of nudibranches – leopard spotted and candy striped being the most commonly seen – and flatworms.

Keep an eye on your air and no-deco limit, as we want to leave plenty of time to explore the blue hole itself. The bottom end breaks out at about 30 metres and the top is at about 20 metres. Take your time to enjoy this tunnel-like formation. Don´t forget to pay particular attention to the various nooks and crannies to either side. You will usually find big spider crabs and sometimes even a ray or an angelshark that hides inside the blue hole.

The Cathedral is one of the most popular divesites in Puerto del Carmen for a good reason:

With a number of different entry points depending on current and group dynamics, there are many ways to explore this beautiful dive site. You start shallow and then make your way down to the reef. Follow the reef for about 10 minutes, after which time you arrive at the beautiful Cathedral cavern. Keep in mind to check your air before you enter, as you will be busy with the stunning views once inside.

This cavern can be visited by five or six people at once. It´s approximate size is 100m². Particular attractions are the resident moray and black coral both on the left side of the entrance. The roof and walls are festooned with beautiful sponges. Also be on the lookout for slipper lobsters and towards the rear of the cavern “lady escalarta” or cleaner shrimp with their long white antennae.

The Cathedral opening is on a sloping sand floor. It´s worth keeping your profile to around the 30m mark to maximize your bottom time. No danger of getting lost in this one, the cavern narrows after about 10m or so and can be treated as a large overhang. It is well worth taking a torch however, as it really brings out the beautiful colours of the encrusting sponges etc. Also watch out for shrimp and arrow crab in the many crevices and large grouper and fork beard hiding in the shadows.

Don’t forget to stop, pause and spend a few moments enjoying the blue light streaming in through the entrance. The dark rocks just look stunning in contrast to the blue ocean.