Gran Canaria – little paradise

Gran Canaria, the round island

Gran Canaria, located in the centre of the Canarian archipelago – also called the round island because of its circular shape – is 47 km across and covers an area of 1,560 sq km. Its highest peak, Pozo de Las Nieves (1,949m above sea level), is situated right in the centre of the island. Gran Canaria Beaches Gran Canaria belongs to an area of the Atlantic Ocean, known as Macaronesia. The nearest point on the African coast is approximately 210 km (131 miles) away, while Cádiz, the closest port on the European continent, lies about 1250 km (781 miles) north of Gran Canaria. Gran Canaria, which is the third largest island of the Canaries, boasts 236 km of coast with sandy beaches, predominantly concentrated in the southeast. This is where you’ll find the famous beaches of Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas with its amazing sand dunes. Cliffs dominate the south western and western coasts, whereas the coastline of the north and northeast offers more diverse pleasures, including a wide variety of beaches and coves. The mountainous center of the island features a few high peaks and many gorges radiating out towards the sea. Due to the geological formation of the interior of the island, the landscapes of the interior are very different from those of the coast, originating many and varied ecosystems on the island. Being of volcanic origin, the island's orography has a conical shape that is split in two by the ravines of Tirajana and Agaete, representing the main line of division that separates the enormous contrasts of the North and the South.

North and South - two different faces

Gran Canaria lays in a north to a south ocean current. Also the dominant winds go from north to south. The north has a very rough coastline and is frequently subject to waves and wind. Thanks to the main wind direction, the north has a more moderate climate than the south and has nice green hill tops. Most of the economic activities are to be found in the north. In the south, due to the absence of the dominant northern winds, waves and rain, is very dry. Here you only have a few hours of rain per year. Most of the touristic centers are concentrated to the nice and sunny beaches. Between the beaches you will find nice cliffs that makes the coastline very attractive. Thanks to the protection of the high mountains in the centre of the island the temperatures in the south are substantially higher than in the north (up to 10° difference). Diving in the south is great all year round. Thanks to its nice climate it is very rare diving is not possible due to weather conditions. So next time you consider diving holiday, have a look at the South of Gran Canaria. It is definitely worth looking at. Want to know more, check Gran Canaria Info

Common Octopus

The Common Octopus The common octopus is a master in disguise. When looking to ambush or to hide, it changes its color instantaneously and thus becomes one with the background. When really threatened he will eject a cloud of ink allowing it enough time to seek shelter. How to recognize a common octopus? Scuba Diving […]

Bastard Grunt (Roncadores)

Big schools of Bastard Grunt or Roncadores Jump from the boat, dive into the blue and see the large groups of silver-yellow fish, sometimes a couple of 1.000 of them, slowly moving. You cannot deny, the numbers are their strength, definitely with groups of barracuda hanging above.   How to recognize a Bastard Grunt? Scuba […]

Cuttlefish

The remarkable camouflage from the cuttlefish With its rugby-ball shaped body and a set of arms sticking out on one site it is a somewhat strange appearance. Once it starts changing its colour and its pattern the image is complete. Spotting a Cuttlefish is a unique experience. How to recognize a cuttlefish? Scuba Diving The […]

Angelshark

Never disturb an angelshark. The angelshark is an expert to hide in the sand during the day. Only an experienced eye will spot it. On night dives, when hunting, you take a humble distance to this gracious creature.   How to recognize an angelshark? Scuba Diving The angelshark diet The angelshark reproduction Endangered Species Some […]

Refresh your diving skills

Why would I need a scuba refresh? Everybody has experienced it. You are on a diving excursion and one of your fellow divers is not at the level expected. It typically starts with the preparation of the dive kit. It takes ages to get prepared and requires the full attention of the dive centre staff. […]

Common eagle ray

Shy but gracious, meet the common eagle ray The gracious appearance of the common eagle ray always has an amazing effect on divers. Slowly appearing out of the blue, elegantly gliding through the water and disappearing in the open ocean, it always leaves you with a humble feeling. How to recognize a common eagle ray? […]

Marbled electric ray

Spinning around a marbled electric ray Thanks to its round shape, the marbled electric ray, also known as the Torpedo ray, is easy to recognise, although sometimes hard to spot. As a predator it is often hiding under the sand, just its eyes visible, waiting to ambush pray with an electric shock. Luckily the round […]

Common Stingray

The common stingray, the boss of the sea The solitary common stingray can be scary when sighted. Some of the older animals are enormous and can appear out of nowhere. Definitely during night dives seeing them appear out of the dark, you better move away as they won’t! How to recognize a common stingray? Scuba […]

Spiny butterfly ray

Be surprised by the spiny butterfly ray A passing butterfly ray, with a span of sometimes more than 2 m, does not stay unnoticed. You do admire the apparently effortless movements that make it glide beautifully through the water. It is just spectacular! How to recognize a spiny butterfly ray? Scuba Diving The spiny butterfly […]

Round fantail stingray

The Round fantail stingray looks like dancing The gracious hovering of this bottom dwelling ray is a great seeing. Their moves are harmonious and seem effortless, like performing in an underwater ballet. Sometimes they are solitary, but commonly you will see them with multiple species together. How to recognize a round fantail stingray? Scuba Diving […]

Painted comber

Encounter with a Painted comber in Gran Canaria The painted comber is not very shy so you can get quite close to it. With its multitude of colours, it’s always a great model for underwater photographers. How to recognize a painted comber? Scuba Diving The painted comber diet Good to know Some Science More Information […]

Canary damsel

The Canary Damsel fish is a small but aggressive little thing. On every dive you will find them, the little black devils that think they can attack the giants. The Canary Damsel male will charge fearlessly at any predator coming too close to its nest, whether it’s an octopus or a diver. How to recognize […]

Atlantic trumpetfish

Spotting the trumpetfish in Gran Canaria Easy to recognise, often hanging in the water head down, long body, you will meet the Atlantic trumpetfish at any dive site in the south of Gran Canaria. How to recognize a trumpetfish? Scuba Diving The trumpetfish diet Good to know Some Science More Information   How to recognize […]

Gran Canaria – little paradise

Gran Canaria, the round island Gran Canaria, located in the centre of the Canarian archipelago – also called the round island because of its circular shape – is 47 km across and covers an area of 1,560 sq km. Its highest peak, Pozo de Las Nieves (1,949m above sea level), is situated right in the […]

Moray Eels

Discover the 4 most spotted Moray Eels in the Canary Islands About 200 different species of Moray eels exist worldwide. Of these 4 different species are to be found when diving in the south of the Canary Islands. Fangtooth moray Black Moray Brown moray eel Canary moray Seeing a Moray eel with its mysterious eyes […]

A job in the diving industry, how to apply?

Why do you want a job in a dive center? Before entering into details and tips on how to apply for a job, think about why you want to apply for it. For the newbies in the industry, just became a Dive Master or recently went through the instructor certification process, applying for a first job […]

Divers and Ears: a question of equalizing

Equalizing your ears is one of the first skills that new divers learn and that we practice on every single dive. While building up dives, equalization becomes almost instinctive for many divers. For some divers equalizing remains difficult, frustrating and even painful. Let’s have a look into the process, the techniques and what can make equalizing […]

10 Things That Change When You Start Scuba Diving

Your life changes when you start scuba diving After competing your scuba diving training and subsequently preparing for your first dive, there is a sense of nervousness and excitement. But within minutes of jumping into the ‘deep blue’, that anxiety seems to cease and you are overwhelmed with a sense of tranquility and peace. The […]

Why do you want to work in the diving industry?

Work as a diver as an adventure Most people are convinced that becoming a dive instructor and work in the industry is only about the adventure in your life, working in exotic destinations and earning lots of money. Well, the truth is a bit different. Talk to dive instructors and dive masters, both experienced and […]