If you’re a wannabe scuba diver heading to Mallorca, you couldn’t choose a better place, especially if you opt to spend your Mallorca holiday in the laid back, easy going resort of Puerto Pollensa. For beginners, scuba diving in these waters is the ideal introduction, and when you’re not soaking up the sun or playing Frisbee on the beach, you can be discovering a whole new underwater world.
If you want to whet your appetite, read this article for inspiration: Dive Deep in Mallorca
My Tips on Getting The Best Scuba Experience in Mallorca
Scuba Mallorca
The best option for beginner divers is definitely Scuba Mallorca. This British owned, PADI accredited, 5-star centre offers a whole range of diving expeditions for all abilities, and with multilingual instructors you have no problems with communication. All of the courses are of the highest standard and taught by experts, so even if you have absolutely no experience, the team at this centre will have you enjoying the underwater world of Mallorca’s coastline in no time at all.
As well as providing an excellent service, this dive centre is well known for its competitive prices and fabulous regular offers, so keep your eyes open.
For helpful information on special offers, read more here.
Grab a Bargain
You could be forgiven for assuming that discounts and offers during the high season would be few and far between, but you would be wrong! From May to September, if you book online you’ll receive a 5% discount. After booking, if you pay by cash, you’ll be treated to another 5% off!
If you book a June, July or August course before 15th May you’ll get yet another 5% reduction. Although this is too late for this year, if you catch the diving bug and want to return next year, it is worth noting.
As an added bonus, Scuba Mallorca offer a free pick-up from your hotel in Puerto Pollensa.
When diving in the low season (March, April and October), you can book onto the PADI Open Water (for beginners) course for only €330, rather than the usual €399.
What To See Underwater
You’ll be amazed at the life that exists beneath the surface of the waters around Puerto Pollensa. The seas are teeming with fish of all shapes and sizes and you’ll encounter myriad wonderful species. Octopus, sea bream, mullet, cuttlefish and rabbit fish will frequently grace your dive group with their presence, but make sure you also keep a look out for the moray eel, matelina ray and even the odd sea horse. I can guarantee you will be buzzing with excitement every time you come face to face with something new.
Check out this official fish guide, so you know what you’re looking for.
Dive Sites to Visit
The coastline around Puerto Pollensa is a haven for divers of all abilities and, even if you are a beginner, you’ll have lots of different sites at your disposal. Some of my favourite locations (which are perfectly suited to those who are just starting out on their diving adventure) are listed below:
Punta de l’Avanzada
If you elect for the Discover Scuba Diving course before you make up your mind whether or not you want to complete your Open Water, you may well be taken to this site. It is quite shallow and is a good spot to begin taking your first underwater breaths. The deeper areas are full of interesting rocks and are wonderful to explore and get some confidence in your newly acquired skills. You might well encounter octopus, cuttlefish and mullet here, among other species.
Captain Caveman
This is a dive you can reach either from the shore or off a boat, although you will usually be diving off a boat. Full of swimthroughs, caverns and mini cave entrances, all in shallow waters, the site is bursting with features. Famous for its resident grouper, who lives in a mushroom shaped rock, beginner divers always rate this place high on their list of favourites. You can also look out for lobster, wrasse and conger eels.
The Pinnacle (Cala Murta)
With a maximum depth of 25 m, this dive site is still very much on the radar of beginner divers. Here you can swim over rocks and boulders towards a wall that’s a favourite hang out for shoals of bream and rabbit fish. Barracuda have also been seen here. There’s also a shallow gully where you can make your way along to a rock arch and swim through.
How to Get to Puerto Pollensa
Most of the main budget airlines fly from London to Palma Mallorca and, depending on where suits you, you can fly from London Gatwick, Luton, London City, Heathrow and Stansted. From London, in around 2 hours and 20 minutes you can be on the ground in sunny Mallorca, and because of the huge choice of airlines you can pick up flights for around £100.
Palma de Mallorca airport transfers to Puerto Pollensa take around 52 minutes, and with Shuttle Direct you can expect an efficient and comfortable service. If you fancy the opportunity to meet a few potential friends on the transfer, go for the shared service that costs as little as £6.31 one-way. Alternatively, opt for a private driver, which costs around £63 one-way.
For more information check out this link.
Where to Stay
Hoposa Bahia – If free Wi-Fi (so you can update your mates at home with photos and holiday gossip) and a beach side location are top of your list of priorities when booking accommodation, then Hoposa Bahia is the number one choice. Its laidback atmosphere, reasonably priced seaside restaurant, and vicinity to great sunbathing and the odd midnight swim, make it a firm favourite.
Hostal Paris – Saving those pennies for all the extra dives you’ll be booking once you’ve completed your PADI course? The Hostal Paris is a great budget choice and also very close to the beach. The free breakfast is a real hit and, and for those who enjoy a little ‘contemplation and reflection’ occasionally, the rooftop terrace with great views of the ocean is another bonus. You can even get your laundry done here if you’ve travelled light.
Puerto Azul Suite Hotel – If you’ve got a little more spare cash to spend on your digs in Puerto Pollensa, then the Puerto Azul Suite Hotel is a great choice. You can have your own spacious suite if you like, and the fabulous outdoor pool and terraced gardens provide a relaxing setting for those afternoons when you just want to kick back. Every room has a sofa and flat screen TV and the fridges in the rooms are ideal for stashing the evening beers – although there is an al fresco bar if you fancy socialising.
About Shuttle Direct
Want to get to your final destination in a fast, convenient and comfortable manner with no fuss or hassle? Book with the number one transfer company in Europe and North Africa: Shuttle Direct. Offering transfers between airports, cruise ports, train stations and hotels, we aim to take the stress out of your travel logistics. Book in advance, pay a fixed price and leave the rest to us.
