Diving at El Arco (Spain)

Gran Canaria's El Arco features a prominent submerged archway, emblematic of the site's unique volcanic geology. Divers follow a structured profile traversing shallower reef sections, descending into a sandy expanse, and navigating the arch structure itself. It marks a significant point on the island's dive map.

As evening covers El Arco, the local air temperature is measured at 26°C. The current wave height at the surface is recorded at 0.6 m. These late-day readings characterize the surface conditions for the night.

Dive Site Location & Key Facts

Coordinates37.5380, -1.1323

Max Depth--

Entry Type--

Water Type--

Dive Types

Wall

Dive Site Overview

El Arco presents a distinctive dive experience within a Special Conservation Area (ZEC) where specific regulations govern access and activity. Advanced divers experienced with shore entries and exits will find the site challenging, particularly these often demanding aspects.

Accessing the site requires a permit for the road leading to the parking area, underscoring its protected status and the need for proper planning. Dive profiles typically reach a maximum depth of 24 meters (79 ft) and can last around 60 minutes, with the exact route often adjusted based on prevailing currents. These underwater currents contribute to a dynamic environment, making awareness and responsiveness crucial during immersion.

Exploring both reef and sand environments forms the core of this underwater journey, with navigating the iconic arch at the mid-point being a central highlight. Beyond the arch, divers often encounter diverse marine life inhabiting the sandy expanses and rocky outcrops.

Throughout the dive, careful attention to planning and adherence to local guidelines ensures a safe and rewarding exploration of this vibrant area.

El Arco

Conditions are Excellent

9/10

Confidence: 8/10

Indicates meteorological model agreement and data availability.

Best Dive Window

07:00 - 14:00

Optimal conditions expected

06:12

18:45

H: 10:45

L: 16:20

Air / Sea Temp

26° / 28°

Wave Height

0.7 m

Wind Speed

20 km/h S

Rain Chance

Current conditions near El Arco show 26° air, 28° sea temperature, 0.7 m waves, and 20 km/h wind. Forecast data is refreshed regularly to ensure accuracy.

Radius: ~12km

Updated: Aug 4, 2026, 16:00 local time

MARINE: OPEN-METEOWEATHER: YR.NO

Best Time to Dive

For an optimal diving experience at El Arco, planning around calmer conditions is key, though good diving scores are reported throughout the year. Air temperatures are pleasant, ranging from approximately 12.5°C (54°F) in December to 28°C (82°F) in August, making surface intervals comfortable in warmer months. While specific water temperature data isn't consistently reported, it typically aligns with seasonal trends in the Canary Islands, warming during summer. Rainfall is generally low, with monthly averages from 0.18 mm in July to 2.04 mm in March, meaning precipitation is rarely a significant deterrent. Wave heights are usually manageable, often below 1.1 meters (3.6 ft), but conditions can vary. Assessing real-time conditions for minimal current and calm entries will enhance your dive experience at this site.

PEAK SEASON SCORE

89/100

Very Good

Scores combine air & water temps, waves, wind & rainfall for overall conditions.

BEST MONTHS TO DIVE

JUN

JUL

AUG

DIVE SCORE (0–100)	64 JAN	66 FEB	62 MAR	72 APR	79 MAY	88 JUN	90 JUL	90 AUG	88 SEP	85 OCT	77 NOV	74 DEC
AIR TEMP (°C)	12	14	15	18	20	25	28	28	24	21	16	12
WATER TEMP (°C)	16	15	16	17	20	24	27	28	26	23	19	17
WAVES (M)	1.0	0.9	1.1	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.6
WIND (KM/H)	19	20	23	20	19	19	19	18	18	18	17	16
RAIN (MM)	0.7	0.6	2.0	0.4	1.6	0.4	0.2	0.3	1.1	1.2	0.3	0.9

DIVE SCORE GUIDE (0–100)

Excellent (90–100)

Very Good (80–89)

Good (70–79)

Moderate (50–69)

Poor (30–49)

Not Recommended (0–29)

Monthly records compiled from satellite and marine observation nodes over the last 3 years. Data provided by Open-Meteo and MET Norway.

Dive Experience & Conditions

Conditions at El Arco dictate a demanding entry and exit, often subject to prevailing currents, which require precise planning and execution at designated points. After entry, divers typically navigate shallower depths, where the initial reef provides an introduction to the site's marine life. Progressing deeper, the route leads to the iconic large arch, a highlight divers often pass through multiple times to appreciate its various perspectives. Beyond the arch, the dive extends to a sandbank, an area known for schools of sea breams and the potential for observing elasmobranchs like sharks and rays. Keeping an eye on the blue water also presents opportunities to spot pelagic fish. Maximum depth for this dive is 24 meters (79 ft). Currents can be a significant factor, determining the specific dive path and requiring divers to remain aware and responsive to changes throughout the immersion.

Dive Difficulty & Safety Guidelines

Navigating El Arco requires advanced diver certification and experience with shore dives due to the challenging entry and exit points. Divers must secure the relevant permit to access the ZEC area by road, as unauthorized entry can result in fines. The use of a signaling buoy is mandatory for all ascents, particularly for emergency situations outside the designated entry/exit point, ensuring surface visibility for other marine traffic.

Additionally, carrying cable cutters or a dive knife is essential, given that non-professional rod fishing is permitted in the vicinity; this gear helps manage potential entanglements with fishing lines. Awareness of currents, which can influence the dive route significantly, is crucial for maintaining safety and group cohesion during the dive.

Recommended Equipment

Dive Computer

This gear list is based on verified equipment signals for El Arco, Spain. Always confirm final gear choices with your dive operator, guide, or liveaboard.

Recommended Dive Suit

Short-term weather patterns suggest stable conditions for divers visiting the area.

Some divers prefer slightly warmer exposure protection simply for additional comfort.

2-3mm shorty or light wetsuit usually works well for maintaining comfort during standard dive profiles in these conditions. A hood or vest is suggested for sensitive divers due to surface winds. The surrounding waters at El Arco are currently registering temperatures of roughly 28°C (83°F). Surface air temperatures are resting at 26°C (79°F).

El Arco conditions last reviewed: 16:00 local time (UTC+0), Aug 4, 2026

Emergency & Medical Support

Essential information to help you plan your dive trip to EL ARCO.

Hyperbaric chambers are a critical part of dive safety infrastructure. Availability varies significantly by region, and not all dive areas have immediate access.

Before diving, it's recommended to:

confirm nearest medical facilities
check emergency procedures with local dive operators
ensure dive insurance covers evacuation if required

24/7 Available

Divers Alert Network

Diving emergency assistance available through DAN Europe.

+39 0642115685

24/7 emergency hotline
Diving medical assistance
Evacuation coordination

View official DAN emergency contacts

Emergency contacts are provided for reference. Always verify local emergency services before diving.

Marine Life at El Arco

The underwater terrain at El Arco supports diverse marine observations, transitioning from rocky shallow areas to deeper sandbanks. Initial shallow sections teem with life, where divers frequently encounter pejeverdes, sargos, and fulas.

Moving further into the dive, the reef structure gives way to sandy expanses. Here, large schools of sea breams congregate, and watchful divers might spot elasmobranchs, such as rays and smaller sharks, on the seabed.

Looking out into the open blue water provides chances to glimpse pelagic species. On the return leg, focusing on the rocky bottom often reveals smaller, more cryptic life forms, including various nudibranchs and moray eels tucked into crevices.