Los Gigantes - Diving Holiday Destination

Los Gigantes (Canary Islands)

The Canary Islands are a group of seven islands in the Atlantic, off the north-west coast of Africa. They enjoy year round sun and holidays are there are inexpensive and easy to arrange.

Los Gigantes has clear water surrounded by high cliffs which keep the area calm and protected from winds. Los Gigantes town is a pretty affair, there's a large British residential population here giving it an upmarket settled feel with plenty of English pubs, bars, cafes and businesses. It's the most upmarket of the three resorts on this stretch, with a small black sandy public beach which is rarely overcrowded.

Despite the massive amount of building that's been going on here in Los Gigantes over the last few decades (it's still going on and they continue to build higher into the mountains) it retains a quaint fishing village vibe. The marina area is particularly attractive and the views of the Los Gigantes Giants - the Acantilados de los Gigantes - cliffs which plunge into the sea, taking your breath away.

Los Gigantes is also one of the best locations on Tenerife for diving, marine live is extensive around the coast here, with numerous top diving sites. Diving and scuba diving excursions are easily accessed from Los Gigantes marina. This stretch of the west coast, with the three Tenerife resorts, enjoys the longest hours of sunshine on the island. Another bonus to picking this area for your Tenerife beach resort holiday!

Climate

The weather varies on all the Canary Islands. For example, the north of Tenerife is not generally as warm or sunny as the south. Fuerteventura is no different, as each part has its own microclimate that depends on its orientation and how the local geographical features are arranged.

The spectacular differences you'll find on Tenerife are due to the climatic extremes between the northern half - lush and humid; and the south - dry and sunny. Tenerife's landscape is sharp and steep; on the same day you could have a swim at the beach then go up Mt. Teide, at 3,718 m., for a snow ball fight... unique, right?

Dive Facts

Between 19 o C and 23 o C water temperature.

Dive Attractions

In the Canary Islands Hammerhead Sharks can be spotted in October/November, and angel sharks November-April.

The most frequently seen fish on rocky bottoms are the dusky grouper, comb grouper, parrot fish, gold lined bream, white bream, conger eels, moray eels, combers, glass eyes, scorpion fish, cardinal fish and wreck fish. On mixed, sand and stone bottoms, you find dentex and, couch´s sea bream, Pandora, red bream, black bream and drum, while on mud and sand bottoms, you will find mullet, sting rays, angel sharks, hound sharks and Canary hake.

Dive sites include:

Masca Bay is approx. 30 minutes north of Los Gigantes by boat, beneath the spectacular cliffs. The site consists of a drop off, the top of which is at about 25 metres. The wall, at this point, plunges shear to 48 metres where we find the entrances to 2 small caves. Swallowtail sea perch & fangtooth morays can be seen here by the observant & the wall itself is covered with black coral. Looking into open sea, large jacks or baracudas can often be seen.

Octopus Cove - Tenerife offers fantastic opportunities for macro phtography. The diving site is just a 10 min. boat ride from the marina of Los Gigantes & is a beautiful little bay beneath 400 metre high cliffs. One side of the bay is defined by a reef which is covered in sponges, corals and anemones, and is surrounded by shoals of fish. As the base of the wall lies in 12 - 15 metres depth, background light levels are high and colours strong - it is difficult for the photographer to leave this site.

Las Cuevitas, meaning the small caves, is an interesting dive site for all levels of experience. Being volcanic in origin, Tenerife & the cliffs of Los Gigantes contain a number of caverns, some of which are interesting & safe to explore. The diving site is situated beneath the massive cliffs of Los Gigantes, a max. depth of 16 metres makes it an ideal second dive.

Other

Language: Spanish. Currency: Euro.

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