San José is the heart of diving in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.
San José is the heart of diving in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. From its small harbour you reach more than twenty dive sites: volcanic walls, seamounts, caves and the famous ARNA wreck, a steamer sunk over a century ago. Posidonia meadows and the protection of the marine reserve make this a sanctuary for groupers, moray eels and octopus.
Yes. The Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park is a marine reserve and diving is only done with authorised centres, which arrange the access permit. You cannot dive independently in the regulated zones.
No certification is needed for a try dive. Independent dives require at least Open Water Diver, and deep sites such as the ARNA wreck need Advanced level due to depth.
May to October, when the water is around 18–24 °C and visibility is most stable. Almería's dry microclimate also allows off-season diving with the right wetsuit.
Groupers, moray eels, octopus, cuttlefish, barracuda and posidonia oceanica meadows, a signature of the reserve and key to the park's biodiversity.