More than the Rock: Why Gibraltar deserves to be on your European dive list

Like many territories that call the Mediterranean home, Gibraltar is a melting pot of cultural and historical influences. The tiny 6.7 km² peninsular, which is about twice the area of Central Park in New York, is perfectly placed as a strategic stronghold and therefore highly sought-after as far as the books go back. Evidence shows human presence as early as 50,000 years ago, in Gorham’s Cave, well into the Bronze Age, into the Phoenicians, the Romans and the Greeks (who said the Strait was created by Hercules himself), after this, it passed from Tariq ibn Ziyad to Almohads to Marinids to Castilians, until in the 18th century, it became an overseas territory of the UK. 

Partly because of this rich history, and partly because of an ongoing artificial reef program started in the 1990s, Gibraltar’s coastline is a prime European diving destination with over 40 dive sites. The constant flow of water between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean makes the Strait more nutrient-rich, which brings a good amount of marine life. You can expect to encounter sardines, bream, mullet, nudibranchs, stargazers and gurnard, among other species. The many nooks and crannies are home to moray eels, conger eels, octopus, and spider crabs, all in abundance, creating fantastic photo opportunities. Pelagics, such as Atlantic bluefin tuna, can be spotted both from shore and on the seamounts further into the Strait.

Many wrecks are easily accessed from the shore. Camp Bay Conservation Site on Gibraltar’s west coast is a wonderful example of how scuttling wrecks can increase biodiversity and provide interesting diving spots. The bay houses 11 wrecks, all of which have been cleaned up and are safe for divers to explore. These include the M482, Batty’s Barge, and the Ark of Jesus Christ to name a few. 

Seven Sisters is a more scenic site which boasts a wide variety of marine life. The rocky pinnacles are dotted with relics of Gibraltar’s history, including anchors, clay piping and pottery. Further out to sea, but accessible by boat, is the SS Excellent, a thousand-ton streamer, constructed in the 1800s. While anchored in Gibraltar Bay on her way to the USA, strong currents caused a collision with two other vessels, so now she lies at 28m and is a very interesting dive for the more qualified. 

For such a small area, Gibraltar offers plenty of activities. Despite its small footprint, there are many distinct areas awaiting exploration. The cable car up the Rock is a must! At the top there’s a glass Skywalk (opened by none other than Mark Hamil) which offers incredible views, just remember to leave all food and non-rucksack bags behind as the overly friendly Barbary macaque monkeys will take them. There is nothing to worry about if you follow the rules. Walking up and down the Rock is possible, but I recommend sensible shoes and carrying water; it is harder than it looks. I opted for the cable car up and a walk back down, stopping off at the Elizabeth Bridge for more stunning views. There are Moorish and Roman ruins, and you can explore mountain tunnels built by the British, stop and have a drink in the vaults of Grand Casemate Square, watch a concert in St Michael Cave, or take a dip in the ocean in Catalan Bay, I could go on and on. 

My visit was brief, only around 48 hours, but I did not stop and I left feeling there was so much more to discover. If you love a city break and historical areas but are constantly drawn to the water, then Gibraltar provides the ideal blend of the two. It is well worth a visit for a long weekend or even a week’s diving holiday.

Contact our team to start planning your perfect diving holiday to Gibraltar.