Diving in the north coast of Menorca

The marine reserve of Menorca was “created” on June 24, 1999. It is an area of the north coast of Menorca where fishing is prohibited or highly regulated and controlled.

Thanks to this the marine fauna has developed over the years, creating a spectacular landscape for those who choose to snorkel.

It is easy to see species such as barracudas, corballos, amberjack, moray eels, groupers, octopus and red mullet in the north of Menorca.

Trawling and fishing for endangered species is prohibited throughout the marine reserve.

The reserve covers an area of 5,119 marine hectares from the bay of Fornells (eastern boundary) to Cape Gros (western boundary).

According to official data, there are 628 benthic species in the reserve, which covers 5,119 marine hectares.

Its excellent state of conservation, its rich landscape and the variety of species that inhabit its seabed have made the Northern Marine Reserve of Menorca one of the natural treasures of the Balearic Islands.

Its seabed, which exceeds 30 meters deep very close to the coast, presents a great heterogeneity of habitats, among which stand out for their ecological interest the Posidonia barrier reef of Sa Nitja, the Cystoseira algae communities and the extensive rocky communities home to hundreds of fish.

Trawling, purse seine, longline and underwater fishing is prohibited throughout the reserve, as well as the capture of fish and invertebrates whose populations are currently threatened.

Dive sites

We will go diving in the Marine Reserve, where we will have the opportunity to observe marine life rich in diversity, such as: barracudas, groupers, nudibranchs, croakers, amberjacks, amberjack, octopus, lobsters, sea cicadas.

The Reserve also has some spectacular caves to visit.

Llosa del Patró Pere

This is one of the most beautiful dives in the Marine Reserve, given the amount of aquatic life we can see there (huge groupers, barracudas, corballos or sea bream, octopus, nudibranchs) and easy access at all levels.

We can also observe a large arch, as well as a fault that we can cross.

The upper part of the slab is 10 meters deep and the deepest part about 25 meters. The dive is a route around this slab.

Llosa dels Ocellers

Diving in this area near Cape Cavalleria, right in the middle of the Marine Reserve on the north coast of Menorca, is one of the most entertaining and amazing experiences on the island.

One of the great attractions of this dive, which can reach up to 27 meters deep, is the great diversity of marine fauna, the opportunity to see groupers and barracudas, but also lobsters and small nudibranchs.

But perhaps the biggest attraction is the existence of numerous tunnels, open and closed channels and small caves that make diving in Llosa dels Ocellers a great adventure.

Porros Island

Porros Island is the northernmost point of Menorca and the Marine Reserve.

It is a wall dive, very rich in fauna: groupers, barracudas, teeth and many gypsies.

Beginner divers can dive in the shallowest part of 8 meters and more experienced divers up to 30 meters deep.

Coves d'es Llamp

It is a series of four caves where you enter on one side and exit on the other.

The backlights are spectacular and the diving is suitable for all levels, as the maximum depth is 16 meters.

Slide

In this dive we are on the south side of Porros Island.

We will anchor the boat next to the island, at a depth of 4-5 meters, so that the descent is comfortable and easy. The tour begins by crossing a tunnel similar to a slide.

We will find it at a depth of 2 meters, while the exit is at 12 meters. Here we will be able to enjoy one of the best backlights of all Menorca.

Leaving the slide, we turn right and we will go to look for a series of rocky tongues, where we will reach our maximum depth (25 meters approximately).

This is an area where we will be able to see large groupers, amberjacks, barracudas, octopus...

Afterwards, we will ascend to a rocky platform, about 10 meters deep, which joins the island of Menorca with the island of Porros, known as Es Pas. We will explore the platform while returning to the boat.

Finally, we will be able to make the slide in reverse, which will allow us to enjoy it again from another perspective.

Finally, as always, we will make our safety stop.

This dive has an even more beautiful alternative route, where in addition to the rich fauna of the reserve, you will also be able to observe old anchors and beautiful backwaters.

MAXIMUM DEPTH: 25 mtrs

Punta d'es Morter

This dive is located off the mouth of the bay of Fornells to the right, right on the edge of the Reserve.

It is a simple dive suitable for all levels, with spectacular scenery.

Pinnacles, canyons, tunnels and all kinds of holes dot the bottom. At the end of the tour you will think you are in Mexico, because you can enjoy a wonderful “cenote”, where the backlights will be the icing on the cake of this beautiful dive.

MAXIMUM DEPTH: 25 mtrs

In Frare

This beautiful dive is located outside the Marine Reserve, however, here we will be able to enjoy possibly the best collection of backwaters in the north of Menorca.

We will start the dive near the shore wall, at a depth of 10 meters. After crossing, for about 15 minutes, a rocky bottom populated by large stones shaped by the force of the tramontana, we will cross a beautiful natural arch, where we will reach our maximum depth, and we will stick to the wall, leaving it to our left.

At this point, prepare your senses because we will begin to “sew” the wall, exploring a succession of visors and holes that will amaze us with their play of light. Perfect immersion for lovers of nudibranchs, small life and photography.

MAXIMUM DEPTH: 18 mtrs.

Tirant Island

Islet that emerges in the mouth of the bay of Fornells, a few minutes from our dive center. We will anchor in very shallow waters, in a natural pool that forms in the shelter of the rock mass that is Illa Tirant.

This dive allows multiple routes depending on the level of experience of the divers. Here you can start diving with a magnificent “baptism”, or start your Open Water Diver course or make one of the longest and most beautiful dives in the whole reserve.

Sea breams, groupers, dentex, sea bass, sea bream and nudibranchs populate this bottom. Delight yourself with the shoals of barracuda that will surround you while you cross canyons and natural rock arches. Illa Tirant is a little gem that will never cease to amaze you.

MAXIMUM DEPTH: 18 mtrs.

S'Olla

This dive is located on the wall of the cape of Cavalleria, in the corner that gives it its name. This is a wall dive, which requires some experience and good buoyancy, due to the depth that can be reached.

We will begin the tour leaving the wall on our right side, until we reach an agglomeration of large boulders. Here we will be able to play and dive among them as if it were a labyrinth.

The return we will do it at a shallower depth and with the wall to our left.

MAXIMUM DEPTH: 25 m

Es Pas

Simple and beautiful dive in front of the Illa de Porros. We will anchor on a submarine mountain that practically reaches the surface.

This mountain is hollow, so we can cross it and enjoy a magnificent backlight. Afterwards, we will go in search of a large sandy area, where we will be able to see stingrays, sea eagles, raos and xorics.

Nowhere else in the reserve you will find such an abundance of these species. Finally, we will return to the boat, at a shallow depth, exploring a rocky platform of spectacular white, where a large number of moray eels reside.

MAXIMUM DEPTH: 20 mtrs.

Sajatia Islet

Also known as Cala Viola de Llevant. Simple and beautiful dive located in the cape of Cavallería.

The anchorage is in a protected cove at about 5 meters deep. We will start the tour leaving the cape wall on our right side, gradually gaining depth.

Soon we will find a canyon that will take us to 15 meters.

In front of us, at a depth of 20-25 meters, we will see a large plain dotted with rocks and sandy patches, where large groupers like to hide and inhabit both stingrays and sea eagles.

We will ascend little by little, losing depth, while crossing multiple natural rock arches where we can find lots of cicadas. All the way back we will leave the wall to our left.

Before reaching the boat, this dive will give us one last surprise. We will be able to investigate a small and simple cave where a large number of cicadas and shrimps live.

MAXIMUM DEPTH: 25 mtrs.

Lobsters

If you want to see lobsters in Menorca, this is your dive. Only suitable for experienced divers, as we have to dive deeper than 30 meters.

However, seeing cracks in the wall full of lobster antennas is priceless. It will be a slightly shorter dive so as not to exceed the decompression limits, but it will be worth it. We assure you.

MAXIMUM DEPTH: 35mtrs

Na Blanca

This dive is ideal for less experienced divers or when the tramontana is strong, as it is located in a very protected area.

We will anchor near the coast, next to the Cavalleria cape, and we will make a round trip along its wall.

We will explore its rocky bottom and let ourselves be surprised by the shoals of barracudas, medium-sized groupers and the multitude of octopuses that live in this area.

MAXIMUM DEPTH: 18 mtrs.

Cap Roig

Do you like the depth? Does the blue call you? Dive Cap Roig.

Diving spot located in the Cavalleria cape, where we will be able to appreciate the true immensity of the north coast. We will anchor next to the wall, at a depth of about 15 meters.

From this point on, we will follow the contour of the cape, watching the wall go down and down without end. The route will be back and forth, first leaving the wall on our left side, and then on our right.

Although we will always have our eyes fixed on one of the most intense blues of the island, we must not neglect any of the rocks that we find, as it is one of the best places to find large groupers, giant dentex, forkbeards and octopus.

MAXIMUM DEPTH: 40 mtrs.

Swiss Cheese

Although this is our farthest dive, the 20 minute drive will be well worth it.

It is located outside the Marine Reserve, at Punta Grossa. This “cheese” is a large rocky mass completely perforated.

This morphology allows multiple and fun routes.

Returning to the boat we will cross a stone arch that seems to be taken from the Talayotic period. Spectacular backlights, Swiss cows, conger eels, octopus and a great variety of small fauna will make the trip worthwhile.

MAXIMUM DEPTH: 25 mtrs.