Under the El Hierro volcano

Venturing deeper into the volcanic depths

Photo by @elhierroisland

Location

The island of El Hierro, Gran Canaria

Best time for scuba diving

Diving is possible year-round. In winter, water and air temperatures drop, but they remain quite high, especially compared to the rest of Europe (the water rarely falls below 17°C).

Plan

El Hierro boasts some of the best marine life on the planet and secluded beaches, such as Arenas Blancas at Punta de la Dehesa, Verodal with its intense red color, and Pozo de las Calcosas, a natural pool accessible by a footpath. Timirijaque beach, with its black sand, is a favorite among surfers.

Complete the route

It's worthwhile to visit the entire island, which is small but boasts fascinating landscapes (over 500 craters, 70 caves and volcanic tubes...). Renting a car is recommended for getting around and exploring the island before diving, as the island's steep terrain could lead to decompression sickness.

Interesting facts about El Hierro

There were volcanic eruptions in 2011 that affected the La Restinga area, but it seems that underwater life is recovering strongly.