If you're searching for the largest protected area along the Mediterranean coast to enjoy a scuba dive, let us tell you it goes by the name Ses Salines. This marine area spans the southern part of Ibiza and the northern coast of Formentera, dotted with numerous small islets, including Porcs, Penjats, Ses Empalmador, Castaví, and several others.
Why Ses Salines?
The name of the area derives from the salt flats found in Ibiza and Formentera’s waters. Salt production, a major industry until just two decades ago, not only shaped the coastal landscape but also created an ecosystem where human activity harmonises with environmental conservation.
The salt industry, combined with the area’s relative isolation—particularly in Formentera—has helped preserve the coastline, miraculously escaping the urban development that has altered so many kilometres of Spain’s shores.
The pristine condition of Ses Salines led to its designation as a Maritime-Terrestrial Natural Reserve in 1995 and a Marine Reserve in 1998 (expanding its protected zone with the Es Freus Reserve). These protections make it the largest marine protected area on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, covering 11,231 hectares (2,219 land, 9,012 marine)—even larger than the iconic Cabrera National Park.
Archetype of the Mediterranean Low Coast, Recognised by UNESCO
Due to intense human pressure on the Mediterranean coast, the archetypal low coastal landscape—a stunning succession of seagrass meadows, beaches, dune systems, and coastal forests—has nearly vanished. To witness the authentic Mediterranean, above and below the water, Ses Salines showcases it in all its glory.
This area is a true natural gem, boasting breathtaking coastal and underwater diversity. Its shores are a glimpse into the Mediterranean’s past: kilometres of white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, cliffs, coastal lagoons, dunes, and juniper forests.
Here, you can swim, sunbathe, and stroll without the backdrop of towering hotels or promenades. Beneath the surface, you’ll find luminous white sandy seabeds, lush seagrass meadows, vertical walls, underwater caves, and coraligenous beds adorned with gorgonians.
The richness and beauty of these well-preserved depths earned Ses Salines UNESCO World Heritage status in December 1999. It remains the only natural site along the entire Mediterranean coast on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Top Dive Sites
This natural setting offers some of the best diving conditions. The mild Mediterranean climate ensures calm waters, visibility ranging from 30 to 50 metres, and minimal currents. Summer water temperatures reach 27°C down to 20–25 metres.
A standout feature of diving in Ses Salines is the variety of underwater landscapes, both within the reserve and its surroundings.
Over twenty distinct dive sites exist here: Punta Gavina, La Plataforma, Punta Prima, Es Vedrà, La Mola, Las Cuevas de Punta Rasa, El Dado, La Llosa de Santa Eulalia, and more.
Diving the Northwest Coast of Formentera
Dives along the northwest coast (Punta Gavina, Es Banc, Punta Pedrera, El Arco, etc.) share similarities but differ markedly from sites like Es Vedrà or Espardell.
Here, it’s best to anchor over an 8–10-metre rocky platform parallel to the shore. This platform drops vertically to 15–25 metres, with scattered boulders at its base. These dives reward divers with diverse landscapes: walls, small caves, crevices, rock arches, and some of the Mediterranean’s best-preserved seagrass meadows. The area teems with marine life: groupers, corvina, pollack, vast shoals of bream, amberjack, red mullet, and more.
The "Mariana" Platform Wreck
Midway between Espalmador and Espardell islands lies the wreck known as La Plataforma. This is a must-dive, offering a unique experience unmatched elsewhere.
The wreck is the remains of a floating fish farm for gilthead bream. After the company folded, the structure sank to 32 metres. Diving here feels like exploring a sunken spaceship or futuristic underwater city.
An artificial habitat has formed around it, attracting barracuda, lobsters, giant groupers, conger eels, scorpionfish, and more. A truly unforgettable dive.
Es Vedrà Islet
Among the many dive sites in Ses Salines Reserve, Es Vedrà—southwest of Ibiza—stands out. Its vertical walls plunge to depths of 60 metres, with visibility often reaching 50 metres. The walls, draped in red gorgonians (Paramuricea clavata), are a spectacle best seen at 40 metres.
La Bota Shoal
A mile from Es Vedrà, the rocky shoal of La Bota rises from 60–70 metres. This offshore site promises thrilling dives: strong currents, pelagic life, and a submerged mountain landscape. Expect barracuda shoals, moray eels, large groupers, red mullet, and bream.
The "Reserve Effect"
Since its protection, Ses Salines has shown a clear "reserve effect." Populations of key species—groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), corvina (Sciaena umbra), dusky groupers (Epinephelus alexandrinus), and dogtooth groupers (Epinephelus caninus)—are rebounding in size and number.
With its thriving seabeds, ideal diving conditions, and abundant sites, Ses Salines is undoubtedly one of the Mediterranean’s premier diving destinations.
