Scuba Elx

Scuba Elx is a PADI diving centre based on the new promenade of Santa Pola harbour, about twenty minutes by boat from Tabarca. It dives all year, with the water between 14 and 28 °C depending on the season, and most of its outings go to the island's marine reserve and the wrecks around it. It has changing rooms with showers, tank filling and inspection and an equipment servicing workshop.

Dives at Tabarca

Inside the reserve it dives at spots such as Escull Negre and La Nao, at beginner level, between 2 and 13 metres, and at the Artificial Reefs and Merolandia, at intermediate and advanced level, between 20 and 30 metres. Outside the reserve it has wrecks: Wreck 19, the Cuca or the Barco Cardi, and for technical divers the First World War freighters Mardinian and Ville de Verdun, at more than 40 metres. The inner waters are dived all year: from October to March, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; from April to September, also on Tuesdays. On the day of the dive you must bring your qualification, ID card and diving insurance, which can be arranged that morning at the centre.

Prices

A dive without equipment costs €38, with tank and weights €43 and with full equipment €63; the double with full equipment, €106, and the night dive, from €42. The introductory dive, for people who have never dived, costs €110. PADI courses range from Open Water Diver, at €449, to Divemaster, at €710, including Advanced, Nitrox and Rescue. It sells passes of 6 and 12 dives with tank only.

Introductory dive and courses

The introductory dive is from age 10, with parental permission for under-18s. It includes a short theory class, one instructor per person, a dive from a boat close to the Santa Pola coast, all the equipment, insurance and a soft drink; you do not need to know how to swim. If you then sign up for the Open Water within the following six months, the centre gives a discount. It also organises freediving courses and refreshers for people who have not dived for a while.