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Benidorm, paradise for snorkeling and diving

28 February 2017
Benidorm, paraíso para la práctica de buceo y submarinismo
  • The popular destination of the coast of Alicante is positioned as a center for diving, snorkeling and diving. One of its main attractions is that much of the area is under the protection of  Sierra Helada Natural Park.

  • Among the star dives, stand out La Llosa and Los Arcos, in the Island of Benidorm.

    Benidorm is a city of sun and beach that impresses with its imposing skyscrapers that unite to form an overwhelming "Skyline", besides being characterized by its exquisite and varied gastronomy, its leisure and sport and the abrupt places of Sierra Helada. But not only that! In addition, it is positioned as a diving destination of the highest level with an underwater bottom that is a paradise for lovers of this sport.

    This was explained today by Laura García, expert in Promotion of Benidorm Tourism Foundation, during the presentation of the destination as an ideal site for diving, in an event that took place at the Royal Canoe Swimming in Madrid, and during which it was also presented the Dive Travel Show Dive, to be held on March 4 and 5 at the Crystal Pavilion, Casa de Campo, Madrid. Ingrid Riera, Director of the magazine Divers, Miguel Lozano, runner-up of the world of apnea and representatives of the two dive centers of Benidorm, Diving Stones and Nisos Benidorm were also present.

    Luxury for scuba diving

  • Benidorm has for years been an ideal destination for diving. But in recent years has been promoted more this activity that attracts hundreds of tourists each year. And this destination has two unbeatable attractions: on the one hand the weather and, on the other, the transparency of its waters and the beauty of its seabed.

  • Benidorm records an annual temperature between 18 and 20 degrees, which allows practicing the diving practically all the year thanks to the pleasant temperature of its waters. To this is added that it has large banks of Posidonia, aquatic plant that keeps the water clear and clean and allows a lot of great visibility.

    "This year Benidorm continues working to position itself as an ideal place to immerse in its transparent waters thanks to the incredible submarine offer that is yet to be discovered. One of the main attractions of the seabed in Benidorm is the great part of the area that has been under protection of the Natural Park of Sierra Helada, for more than ten years, "explained García.

    This natural park stretches from Benidorm to Albir and it is composed of imposing cliffs of more than 300 meters height that collapse under the surface of the water. It also reaches the depth of 20 meters, being this the average depth of the majority of dives of the zone.

    Within the natural area are the most emblematic dive sites in Alicante, such as La Llosa, El Cueva del Elefante, Isla Mediana and Isla de Benidorm - the main protagonist, which offers 11 unique dives - to each one more attractive. In all the dives you can enjoy the company of species like chromis, white seabream, sparus melanusus,diplodus vulgaris, sarpa salpa, gentle moray, octopuses and with the occasional presence of large balls of barracudas, moon fish in the blue and sea horses.

    "For all this we want to promote this offer so different of Benidorm that we are sure to love diving and diving enthusiasts as well as those who are just starting to discover the paradise we have in the waters of our city, said García. Indeed, Benidorm has diving routes for all levels and offers children's schools for beginners.

    Immersion surrounded by small creatures in the Elephant Cave

    The most peculiar dive of the Natural Park of Sierra Helada takes to visit two caves: the Cave of the Elephant and the Cave of the Dwarves, both located at the foot of the cliffs of the mountain range. The entrance of the first cave, the main one, is 12 meters deep, and has a camera full of stalactites and an air bubble that allows you to go out and marvel at everything that surrounds you. The second, smaller size, has another bubble in which you can breathe fresh air, where the seven statues of dwarfs that gave the name to this accident were located before, although there is only one left.

    Both caves are lined with orange coral trim and small hollows that make it truly attractive. For wildlife fans there are innumerable entertainments, given to the abundance of small creatures, such as polyquemos worms and numerous nubibranchs and quails Palaemon elegans.

    A dive between cephalopods in the Median Island

    Another idyllic spot for diving is the Median Island, also known as Octopus Island because of the large presence of cephalopods that populate its bottoms. The island emerges from the 26 meters deep. During the dive you can enjoy the landscapes and the fauna that surrounds it. The island is characterized by different factors in the north and south:

    The northwest face, which faces towards the mainland, presents rocky bottoms with a depth that does not exceed 10 meters.

    The opposite side, oriented to the open sea, is determined by an important cut up to 25 meters, frequented by the blue of peculiar species like the moon fish.

    The distinctive symbol, the Island of Benidorm

    Finally, just 2 miles from the coast, the island of Benidorm of only 6.5 hectares of surface, is also one of the best diving areas in the entire province of Alicante. Also, it is one of the most frequented places of this region of the country by dive aficionados.

    The star dive around the island is La Llosa. An immersion that overlaps encounters as well as emotions. The diver can enjoy up to 25 meters of immersion with magnificent coral walls on the east side of the island.

    In this sense, Miguel Lozano, expert diver, comments: "Benidorm is characterized by several advantages, first of all because of the water's climate, since it is maintained for months, and that creates a continuity of apnea. On the other hand, Benidorm Island has good accessibility to the coast, and even if the wind comes from the west and rising, we can always practice apnea, on one side or the other, depending on where the wind comes from. Also, it has good depth, around 35-40 meters and, lastly, there are no strong currents. "

    For a more relaxed dive, the best option is Punta Garbí, also known as Lebeche. This is a dive with an average depth of 15 meters, which leads to a rocky platform. This immersion is an aquarium, thanks to the amount of fauna that congregates in the area.

    Finally, do not forget Los Arcos, whose bottoms point out large rocks full of cornices and cracks that give the diver a chance to play. The depth is of 10-12 meters and there are presence of congrios, morenas, lobsters and octopuses.

    Dive Travel Show

    Lovers of the sea can not miss the Dive Travel Show Dive to be held on March 4 and 5 in the Glass Pavilion in Madrid and this year will host a workshop of Underwater Photo and Video that will show the love of the sea Their authors. Arturo Telle, Mónica Sagrera, Txema Vega or Paco Candela are some of the ones will tell their experiences in the water. In addition, the Fair will feature a conference by Alex Cornelissen, CEO of Sea Shepherd Global. An international association fighting for the conservation of marine fauna.

    Another of the highlights is the She Lives "United for the same Passion", a roundtable of women dedicated to the world of the sea who will share their impressions and points of view.

    The Buceo Fair will also exhibit more than 100 photographs of the Iberian Buceo exhibition, in addition to the 5 winning collections of the Open Cabo de Palos.

    In addition to these and many other activities, during the celebration of the Dive Travel Show will be announced the winners of the photography contest Photosub Corals of the World in which anyone can take part in underwater photography. The term of participation is open until February 25 and has cash prizes.

    For more information: www.divetravelshow.es