This dive site, Marina San Miguel, is a unique and protected location situated just 8 kilometers south of Reina Sofia airport in Spain. Access is highly controlled, granted only to a few dive centers via a dedicated jetty where boat traffic is strictly prohibited, ensuring a safe and calm diving environment. As a marina, the underwater landscape consists of artificial structures such as jetty pilings, mooring lines, and potentially some artificial reefs, which serve as excellent habitats for marine life. While there's no specific historical narrative provided, its controlled access and amenities like bathrooms, showers, and a bar/restaurant make it a comfortable and convenient diving spot.
The marine life here is surprisingly rich for a marina, offering sightings of a wide array of species. Divers can expect to encounter larger animals like groupers, barracudas, angel sharks, stingrays, and eagle rays. The site is also teeming with smaller creatures, including various labridae, vibrant parrotfish, camouflaged cuttlefish and octopus, elusive moray eels, peculiar porcupine fish, charming seahorses, delicate nudibranchs, and tiny ghost shrimp. This diversity makes it a rewarding site for both wide-angle and macro photography.
The protected, shallow nature of Marina San Miguel makes it suitable for diving year-round, though the warmest water and best visibility are typically found during the summer and autumn months. Its maximum depth of 16 meters and average depth of 8 meters, combined with mild currents and excellent amenities, make it an ideal location for beginner divers, training dives, and also appealing to more experienced divers and photographers seeking abundant macro life and unique encounters in a safe setting. Freedivers will also find the shallow, calm conditions and rich marine life highly suitable for exploring.
