Diving in San Agustín, Gran Canaria

The sandy shallow beach of San Agustín is best for sunbathing

We often get asked if there is anywhere to snorkel or dive right next to San Agustín or the adjoining resorts of Playa del Inglés, or Bahia Feliz in Gran Canaria. Sorry, but the answer is: not really. San Agustín and Playa del Ingles are best known for their beaches and the amazing sand-dunes behind the beach in Maspalomas... which in diving terms means .. lots of sand and not much marine life and not much depth. Compared to the main dive sites on Gran Canaria, the beaches are a bit like the famous dunes .. a bit of a desert.

Divers also search for a PADI dive centre in San Agustín, but because the adjacent diving is poor, there is currently no PADI Approved Dive Centre in Playa del Ingles, Mapaslomas, Meloneras, or San Agustin or the other resorts of the 'Sur'. It may look on the map as though you are some distance from the best diving on the island, but the motorway is close by and means that it is quick and easy to get from San Agustín to Arinaga to enjoy some of the best scuba diving in the Canaries.

The marine reserve at el Cabrón near Arinaga has a varied fauna with many colourful fish

But do not worry. San Agustín has always had a reputation as relaxed and laid back sun lovers destination, and has all the attractions and facilities nearby to make it a great family holiday destination. It is also just under twenty minutes from the marine reserve at El Cabrón near Arinaga on the East Coast, regarded by all the locals as the best place to dive in Gran Canaria. There is plenty of diving, there is one of the best mixes of marine life on the island, and you can dive over ten different routes in the reserve. The area was featured in the January 2008 edition of 'BSAC Dive' magazine. If you are staying in San Agustín then the nearest and best place to go diving is in the Marine Reserve at Arinaga.

We collect you from your hotel for scuba diving in San Agustín, a short ride will take you to some excellent diving

The El Cabrón area is famous because the volcanic reef has arches, caves, cliffs and with these varied habitats it is a marine-life hotspot where you can see almost the whole catalog of marine species from tiny seahorses to angel sharks and butterfly rays. The main advantages of diving in the El Cabrón Marine Reserve are:-

See more, with over 10 routes and 400 marine species
'Casa Limon' is the most spacious and relaxed dive centre in Gran Canaria
Our team are mature, knowledgeable and highly rated on TripAdviser!

5 stars - "Relaxed and rewarding day of diving"

A very relaxing yet rewarding day of diving with my two sons. We were picked up from our stay on the agreed time (no waiting), with a swift transfer to the diving center. Nice garden like diving center facilties, with an instructor speaking dutch (our native language) as a bonus. The Cabron area is excellent for diving; lots of sea-life, two sightings of angel shark, and a trumpet fish. Thanks again for the memorable day!

2016-05-07 Egbert_Eindhoven Published by Tripadvisor.co.uk See full review

We offer a free collection service for divers from San Agustín every day for divers, so that they can come here in our air conditioned mini-bus and enjoy the best diving in Gran Canaria, and be back with their family in Playa del Inglés, San Agustín or Meloneras in time for afternoon tea.

Nearby, Playa del Inglés also has a very vibrant night-life, and plenty of reasonably priced acommodation, so you can party one night and then dive on other days, chilling out between in the dunes or shopping in the Yumbo centre.

This common stingray can be found at several places in the reserve

Triggerfish are often found at Punta de la Sal in Gran Canarias Marine Reserve

In summary, if you are coming here with a family and only diving a couple of days, then San Agustín is a great base from which to explore Gran Canaria. There are plenty of things to do and see including two water parks, the beach area, horse riding, jeep safaris, sky-diving and helicopter trips (to name just a few). From here it is a short journey to the El Cabrón marine reserve where you can take part in some top diving experiences.

This parrotfish is being cleaned by turkish wrasse at one of the local cleaning stations

A nudibrach grazes on the vegetation on the table top

Explore our site using the menu and you can see the main dive routes in the Arinaga Marine Reserve or browse thought our photo gallery to find out more about the opportunities to take your own photos, or find out more about learning to dive while in San Agustín on a PADI course. If you have any questions about diving, courses, or just getting here or staying here, then use our express contact page to ask Peter for some help in planning a great holiday.

Plan your dive excursion

Pick Course

PADI 5-star -
Learn to dive
with Elite Instructors

One-day courses for beginners and snorkel excursion

Start Here

My First Dive.
Beginners experiences in El Cabrón

Dive In

Dive packs
for qualified
divers

Don't Miss

15 Specials
not to miss
in El Cabrón

Main Hotels, Bungalows and Apartments in San Agustín and Normal Collection Times

We collect you from these Hotels and Apartments on a regular basis.

Hotel Name	Collection Time
Costa Canaria	09:05-09.10
Dunas Don Gregory	09:05-09.10
Folias	09:05-09.10
Gloria Palace	09:05-09.10
IFA Beach	09:05-09.10
IFA Interclub Atlantic	09:05-09.10
Marinasol	09:10-09.15
Melia Tamarindos	09:05-09.10
Monte Feliz	09:10-09.15
Monte Rojo	09:05-09.10
San Agustin Beach Club	09:05-09.10