La Herradura is a paradise for divers from all over Spain. Located on Granada’s Tropical Coast, this natural area boasts unique characteristics.
Situated between Punta de la Mona and Cerro Gordo, it has a microclimate that directly influences underwater activity and fauna. La Herradura’s biodiversity is admired and studied year-round, as its conditions allow for diving every month.
Whatever your diving level, whether you’re a seasoned expert or simply curious and have no experience, La Herradura is perfect for you.
Beginner Diving in La Herradura
If you have no experience in the world of diving, La Herradura offers a perfect and safe environment for your first dives. Here you can obtain your Open Water certification and try your first dive.
The main advantage for beginner divers is the safety of this corner of the coast, along with its rich marine life at shallow depths, something you’ll enjoy from the very first second. These are the perfect spots for beginners’ first dives:
Marina del Este (La Calita)
This is the spot known by all instructors and schools as the perfect place to start your new diving hobby. The dive is done from the shore, making it very easy to enter.
Its maximum depth doesn’t exceed 14 metres, and in between, you can enjoy octopuses, salema porgies, and yellow encrusting anemones.
La Playa de la Herradura
Going to the ends of the bay, such as Peñón del Cerro Gordo, is a perfect dive site for beginners. In fact, many of the exercises that make up the PADI or SSI courses are done here.
Intermediate Level Diving
Once you’ve mastered the initial steps and gained control of your buoyancy, you can take the next step and begin exploring the marine life and the wall in more detail.
Los Cántaros
At Punta de la Mona, you’ll find this spot ideal for observing groupers, dentex, and seahorses. The depth here increases, reaching up to 22 metres.
La Huerta (The Orchard)
The name is no coincidence, so named for the abundance and variety of marine life that inhabits it. You’ll find bream, schools of damselfish, and nudibranchs of every colour. Here you’ll find divers of all levels.
Expert Diving
Advanced certified divers find their niche here, as controlling the currents is essential to safely enjoy all the beauty of this place.
The Wall of Punta de la Mona (The Wall of Punta de la Mona)
A challenge and a breathtaking sight for divers. This wall drops sharply into the abyss, a true challenge and pleasure for thrill-seekers who can master the strong currents. Thanks to these currents, the wall boasts an orange hue due to the orange coral.
Depths of up to 40 metres are reached, where you can observe barracudas, sunfish, and large groupers.
El Salto del Caballo
Located within the Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs Natural Park, you can enjoy lobsters and spiny lobsters, provided you have excellent control and navigation skills.
Nightlife
Night diving in La Herradura is also possible and is a truly spectacular experience. Here you will see small crustaceans, moray eels, and conger eels.
Practical Tips for La Herradura
| Aspecto | Recommendation |
| Best time to go | From May to October for the temperature, but winter offers clearer waters. |
| Water temperature | Between 14°C in winter and 24°C in summer. |
| Visibility | Average of 10–15 metres, reaching up to 25 metres on clear days. |
