Best Spots for Snorkeling and Mask Swimming on Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca is one of Spain’s most vibrant coastlines for snorkeling enthusiasts. Turquoise waters, rocky coves, a rich underwater world, and easy access to most locations make the region ideal for mask swimming—perfect for both beginners and experienced travelers. This article compiles the best snorkeling spots, verified by numerous tourists and locals. Each location includes precise Google Maps links, allowing you to easily plan your route and evaluate conditions in advance.
A distinctive feature of Costa Blanca is the diversity of its underwater landscapes. The northern coast features dark rocks and deep coves inhabited by octopuses, starfish, and schools of fish. The central coast combines sandy and rocky areas, while the south is known for coral platforms and rare marine flora. Water visibility in most regions is excellent—ranging from 10 to 25 meters in calm weather—making snorkeling popular almost year-round.
1. Jávea – Rich Underwater Life on the Northern Coast
Jávea is considered one of the top snorkeling spots on Costa Blanca. It features numerous natural coves with crystal-clear waters, varied seabeds, and dramatic rock walls. Snorkelers here can observe sea urchins, shells, schools of small fish, sea bass, and even small cuttlefish. Tourists flock here from all over the region to experience the underwater scenery and the combination of wild landscapes with easy water access.
Cala Portitxol – One of Spain’s Most Photogenic Coves
Cala Portitxol is famous for its white-and-blue fisherman’s houses perched at the water’s edge. Equally impressive is the underwater part of the cove: deep crevices, rocky ledges, posidonia seagrass beds, and clear water make it ideal for snorkeling. The left side of the cove is best for swimming, with calmer waters and numerous underwater shelters where fish and crabs hide.
Google Maps: view on map
Cala Blanca – Gentle Entry and Vibrant Marine Flora
Cala Blanca is one of Jávea’s best locations for beginner snorkelers. The water entry is gentle, the depth increases gradually, and visibility is almost always excellent. The cove features abundant seagrass, colorful algae, small fish, and sunlight reflecting between white rocks. The best time for snorkeling is in the morning when the cove is protected from waves, and the sun highlights the underwater landscape.
Google Maps: view on map
Cala Granadella – One of Europe’s Finest Coves
Granadella is repeatedly recognized as one of Spain’s most beautiful beaches. Its underwater world is equally impressive: steep depth changes, powerful rock walls, numerous crevices, and remarkable water clarity. In the eastern part of the cove, snorkelers can spot schools of silvery fish, and occasionally sea gobies and small squids. The location is popular among kayakers and those who enjoy combining water exploration with snorkeling.
Google Maps: view on map
Isla del Portitxol – Island with Unique Underwater Terrain
Portitxol Island, located opposite the eponymous cove, is a snorkeler’s paradise. The water here is incredibly clear, and underwater walls drop several meters. The island is surrounded by rocky grottos and seagrass-covered areas inhabited by sea bass, cuttlefish, and schools of small fish. The best approach is from the south side, where the current is gentle and comfortable for mask swimming.
Google Maps: view on map
2. Moraira – Calm Coves and Excellent Visibility
Moraira is renowned for warm waters and gentle depths. Its coves are sheltered from wind, providing especially good visibility. It is ideal for first-time snorkelers or those swimming safely with children. The underwater life in Moraira features seagrass, small fish, crabs, and colorful stones. In the evening, coves gain a golden hue as the low sun softly illuminates the underwater scenery.
Playa del Portet – Azure Water and Gentle Depths
Portet is one of the region’s most beautiful coves, resembling a miniature lagoon. The water is exceptionally clean and calm, and the seabed slopes gently. The right side of the cove features abundant seagrass and rocky shelters, home to parrotfish, wrasses, and crabs. This cove is perfect for family snorkeling and beginner underwater photography.
Google Maps: view on map
Cala Andrago – Excellent for Underwater Photography
Andrago is one of the most photogenic coves on the coast. Its rocky and diverse seabed creates perfect conditions for underwater photography. The water is a deep blue, especially on sunny days. The northern part of the cove has rocky platforms where octopuses and large crabs often hide. Thanks to the combination of depth and clarity, this spot is popular for extended swims along the shore.
Google Maps: view on map
Cala Punta Estrella – Quiet Cove for Slow Snorkeling
Punta Estrella is a small, secluded cove favored by locals. It is almost always calm, and morning water conditions are ideal for snorkeling. The gradually changing depth makes it suitable for gentle mask dives without fins. The left side has abundant sea urchins and colorful algae, making aqua shoes essential.
Google Maps: view on map
3. Calpe – Cliffs, Underwater Platforms, and Famous Coves
Calpe is renowned for the Peñón de Ifach, but its underwater world is equally unique. Large stone slabs, seagrass patches, sudden depth drops, and calm zones near breakwaters make Calpe ideal for snorkeling. You can encounter large fish, unusual rocks, and even small underwater canyons.
Baños de la Reina – Natural “Baths” at the Foot of Ifach
Baños de la Reina is one of Calpe’s most popular mask swimming spots. It features ruins of ancient stone fish pools. Their shape creates areas with perfect water clarity, allowing easy observation of marine life. The eastern part is especially interesting, where depth increases more rapidly, and larger fish species can be seen.
Google Maps: view on map
Cala El Racó – Best Underwater Views of Ifach
This rocky cove at the base of Peñón de Ifach offers ideal snorkeling conditions. Its seabed features large rocks and sandy areas, with visibility often reaching 20 meters. Snorkelers can spot starfish, colorful small fish, and occasionally small moray eels. The access is equipped with stairs, making it suitable even for beginners.
Google Maps: view on map
Cala La Manzanera – Secluded Spot with Vibrant Underwater Terrain
La Manzanera is a lesser-known cove with excellent visibility and vivid underwater colors. Its rocks have reddish hues, creating a striking contrast with the blue water. At depths of 2–4 meters, large boulders are surrounded by schools of small fish, making it ideal for underwater photography.
Google Maps: view on map
4. Altea – Calm Sea and Crystal-Clear Water
Altea offers some of the cleanest waters on Costa Blanca. The seabed is rocky, visibility is high, and depths increase gradually. Locals consider Altea a peaceful spot for leisurely snorkeling, especially in the morning. Underwater, you can find colorful algae, sponges, large fish, and various crabs.
Cap Negret – Long Rocky Platforms and Rich Marine Flora
Cap Negret is where rocky shores create ideal conditions for underwater observation. The reefs are wide and flat, forming natural “tables” underwater. Between 1–3 meters deep, numerous marine organisms thrive, and on sunny days, the water takes on a rich turquoise hue. There are gentle entry points along the shore.
Google Maps: view on map
Cala del Metge – Quiet Cove for Relaxed Snorkeling
Cala del Metge, near the natural Solsida area, is almost always uncrowded, perfect for those who enjoy peace. The seabed is rocky with seagrass patches and small stone slabs, where crabs and seahorses can easily be spotted.
Google Maps: view on map
Cala de la Solsida – Wild Nature and Excellent Visibility
This cove, located in a natural area, is free from large waves, ensuring consistently clear water. Here, snorkelers can spot sea urchins, unusual rocks, and occasionally small rays. The seabed is almost entirely rocky, so aqua shoes are essential.
Google Maps: view on map
5. Torrevieja – Coral Platforms and Rich Marine Life
Torrevieja is known for its natural coral platforms, creating unique underwater landscapes. Here, snorkelers can observe seahorses, large crabs, and even octopuses. The warm waters for most of the year make it a popular snorkeling destination.
Cala Piteras – Best Conditions for Marine Life Observation
Cala Piteras is an accessible cove with a gentle entry and a vivid underwater world. Its seabed varies from sandy patches to rocky slabs. Around the protrusions, snorkelers can see numerous fish and starfish. The location is often chosen for underwater photography.
Google Maps: view on map
Cala Ferris – Natural Lagoons with Crystal-Clear Water
Cala Ferris is one of the most unique locations on the southern coast. It features natural lagoons surrounded by palms and rock formations. The water is bright turquoise, and the seabed is covered with diverse marine plants, making it ideal for calm snorkeling.
Google Maps: view on map
Playa de la Mata – Long Shallow Areas and Rich Flora
Playa de la Mata is known for its length and shallow zones. In the morning, the water is especially clear. Mask swimming allows observation of numerous plants, schools of small fish, and rare crustaceans. This underwater world is perfect for beginners.
Google Maps: view on map
6. Tabarca Island – Spain’s First Marine Reserve
For the richest underwater life on Costa Blanca, Tabarca Island is the perfect choice. As Spain’s first marine reserve, fishing is prohibited, and the ecological environment is strictly protected. Here, snorkelers can witness huge schools of fish, large marine specimens, posidonia seagrass, coral formations, and exceptionally clear water.
The island can be circumnavigated in 45 minutes, but the best snorkeling spots are located between Cape Farrallón and the small natural lagoons to the south. On sunny days, visibility reaches 20–25 meters, and the marine flora is remarkably diverse.
Google Maps: view on map
Southern Lagoons of the Island
The southern part of Tabarca features rocky terrain and small natural pools, ideal for snorkeling. There are no large waves, and the seabed is a mix of rock and sand. The area is especially beautiful in the morning.
Cape Farrallón – Crystal-Clear Water
This area is known for its clarity and depth. Massive boulders, underwater walls, and abundant fish make Farrallón one of the best spots for underwater photography. The water remains clear even in light wind.
Google Maps: view on map
7. Santa Pola – Natural Lagoons, Reefs, and Incredible Clarity
Santa Pola is famous for its natural parks, pink salt lakes, and abundant marine life. The southern part of the town, however, is one of the best snorkeling regions. Gentle entries, calm waters, and sheltered coves create ideal conditions for mask swimming.
Cala Santiago Bernabeu – Perfect for Beginners
This small cove is located near the town center. Its seabed is sandy with some rocky areas, and depth increases gradually. Beginners can easily get accustomed to the mask, breathing, and swimming. Visibility is excellent on clear days.
Google Maps: view on map
Playa Varadero – Long Rocky Platforms
Varadero is one of Santa Pola’s calmest spots. The partially rocky seabed makes the underwater world interesting: crabs, sponges, colorful algae, and fish hiding in rock shadows are easily visible. Near the breakwaters, depth increases sharply, making this area attractive to experienced snorkelers.
Google Maps: view on map
8. Tips for Safe and Effective Snorkeling
Snorkeling on Costa Blanca is not only enjoyable but also requires adherence to certain safety rules. These help maximize your experience and avoid unnecessary risks.
Choose the Right Time
- Best time for snorkeling is in the morning. Winds are weaker, water is cleaner, and there are fewer people.
- Avoid afternoon waves. Southern winds can reduce visibility.
Essential Equipment
- A mask with a wide field of view
- Fins for deep-water beaches
- Aqua shoes in areas with sea urchins
- A snorkel with a purge valve
Safety
- Do not swim far in strong currents.
- Avoid areas with fishing nets.
- Keep distance from boats and SUP surfers.
Respect Nature
- Do not touch marine animals.
- Do not collect shells or corals.
- Do not step on posidonia seagrass.
Conclusion
Costa Blanca is a perfect destination for mask swimming. There is a location for everyone: the deep coves of Xàbia, the calm waters of Moraira, the coral platforms of Torrevieja, the pristine beaches of Santa Pola, or the marine reserve of Tabarca. The underwater world here is impressively diverse—from seagrass and small fish to large marine creatures and underwater grottos. Thanks to the mild climate and water clarity, snorkeling is available almost year-round.
If you want to discover Costa Blanca from a new perspective, snorkeling is a must. It is one of those activities that brings a sense of freedom, harmony, and closeness to nature.
