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El Desierto

Discover the ultimate dive site at the Mar de las Calmas Marine Reserve, located in the breathtaking waters of Spain's Canary Islands. This notable site is renowned for its remote location and requires a scenic 10-15 minute boat ride from the vibrant port of La Restinga.

Immerse yourself in a truly extraordinary experience as you encounter the remarkable Heteroconger longissimus, the highest concentration found anywhere in Europe. Watching these graceful creatures dance in their natural habitat is a sight to behold.

Often referred to as a desert within the reserve, this dive site stands out due to its sandy bottom. However, don't be deceived by the sandy landscape, as it teems with life. Prepare to be captivated by the largest concentration of garden eels in Europe. With a stroke of luck, you may even spot majestic stingrays, eagle rays, spiny butterflyrays, and during the winter months, angel shark sightings are not uncommon.

Dive into crystal-clear waters boasting an impressive visibility of 22 meters. Delve into the depths of up to 25 meters, catering to both beginner and advanced divers alike. This exceptional dive site offers an alluring experience for divers seeking to explore the wonders of the Mar de las Calmas Marine Reserve.

Plan your adventure to this remarkable underwater oasis located at HI-410, El Pinar de El Hierro, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable diving expedition that will leave you in awe of the vibrant marine life that calls this site their home.

Diving Conditions Score for El Desierto

8.1
Very Good

Very good diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for El Desierto

Depth

25m

Visibility

22m

Experience Level

beginner
advanced

Weather Conditions for El Desierto

Wave Height

0.72m

Wind Speed

6.7 m/s

Water Temp

23.1°C

Visibility

33.48km

Cloud Cover

0%

Wave Period

7.55s

Air Temperature

26.5°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for El Desierto
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for El Desierto

Best time to dive: 6:00 with score 8.979622222222222/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.74m, Wind 4.5 m/s.Best night dive time: 18:00 with score 8.5291/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at El Desierto: 06:00
Sunset at El Desierto: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at El Desierto are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
6:00

Score: 9.0/10
Waves: 0.74m (7.5s), Wind: 4.5 m/s

🌙
Best Night
18:00

Score: 8.5/10
Waves: 0.72m, Wind: 1.7 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for El Desierto
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at El Desierto

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for El Desierto

Winter

Avg. Score: 9.1/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for El Desierto

January
Score: 9.2
December
Score: 9.1
February
Score: 8.9

Ideal Conditions for El Desierto

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

24.1°C / 75.4°F

July

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

16.1m / 52.8ft

October

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

0.9m / 3.0ft

January

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for El Desierto

El Desierto shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (24.1°C) and January the coldest (15.2°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.9m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 21, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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