Preserving the underwater Costa Brava

The diving centres that make up the Association of Diving Centres on the Costa Brava offer some great tools that are available to everyone who wants to practise diving with environmental sustainability criteria. Through ecoguiding and the dissemination of the natural values of the seabed, and understanding that environmental protection is only possible through knowledge, in 2018 they launched a project that has allowed training in ecoguiding for professionals from diving centres. As well as this, they have created a series of informative materials such as an explanatory video on respectful diving, an illustrated guide to discover the secrets of the sea, submersible fact sheets that allow you to identify the species that inhabit it and a whole range of materials on good practices and tips to ensure safety in practice and respect for the environment. In addition to this, they offer 12 eco-guided routes for experts from the centres of the Costa Brava, with informative resources, both online and printed, and with a list of more than 180 dives to discover the underwater richness of the area.

From the reduction of energy consumption or controlling the speed of the vessels to preventing spills and ensuring waste management, as well as not feeding the fish or touching the plants, underwater activities must respect the rules, while promoting a proactive attitude in defending the ecosystem and the environment.

The Costa Brava Blue Fest, organised by the Costa Brava Sub, with the collaboration of the Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board, offers a week dedicated to diving every year, within the programme of the Bluewave DAYS, which promotes the integration of SDG in the practice of underwater activities, especially in terms of the application of environmental conservation criteria and the promotion of citizen participation and knowledge in different research initiatives. All this is to facilitate the discovery of the underwater world and the recovery and restoration of the Mediterranean Sea.

The first contact we have with the underwater environment is often through recreational and adventure activities such as snorkelling, with a simple mask and a tube, to observe the life underwater. The Illes Medes, in L’Estartit, are the ideal place to enjoy this and discover the secrets hidden in the best marine reserve in Europe. Here, companies like Unisub or Medaqua have the most interesting options for discovering, at shallow depths, the posidonia meadows or the wildlife of the area, with experienced guides who help you to understand how to promote their conservation.

If you’re looking for more than just snorkelling and you want to explore the depths of the sea, diving baptisms are the best way to get started in the world of diving. The Costa Brava has a wide variety of companies and experiences aimed at getting used to the sensation of breathing underwater. We have already mentioned two of them previously, Medaqua and Unisub, in the Montgrí Natural Park, where you can also find El Rei del Mar, with its eco-baptism. If you would like the Medes to become your diving school, sign up for the Open Water Green Park where you can enjoy nature and practise an exhilarating sport all at the same time.

But in addition to the Illes Medes, we can also enjoy a first dive in other areas of the coast, such as Cadaqués, with Sotamar Diving Center, or Tossa de Mar, with SuperDive, which also has the PADI Open Water course, which will allow you to be able to dive autonomously and independently anywhere in the world.

In addition to all the experiences and companies mentioned, you can find many more interesting activities related to snorkelling and diving, in any of the centres attached to the association and located throughout the entire Costa Brava, from Colera to Blanes. Wherever you go, the seabed awaits you! And remember, taking care of it means you will enjoy it twice as much.