North Africa – Ceuta & Melilla

About North Africa – Ceuta & Melilla

Spain’s two North African enclaves offer Mediterranean diving on the Strait’s doorstep, blending African light with Spanish infrastructure. Ceuta’s Monte Hacho wall is a dramatic drop-off full of groupers, barracuda and morays, plus the penetrable Adeje wreck in clear water. Melilla adds the Cueva del Coral, a sea cave glowing with orange coral-like algae and glassfish, and the shallow Los Cárabos reef for training. Warm, clear water and short crossings from the peninsula make these enclaves a convenient, underrated alternative to the crowded Mediterranean mainstays. This region rewards careful planning and respects Spain’s marine-protection rules, offering rewarding diving across a wide range of experience levels through a long and varied season.

Highlights

• ✓Monte Hacho Wall (Ceuta): a dramatic Mediterranean drop-off with groupers.
• ✓Adeje wreck (Ceuta): a 20-30 m cargo vessel for penetration dives.
• ✓Cueva del Coral (Melilla): a sea cave glowing with orange algae.
• ✓Los Cárabos Reef (Melilla): a shallow rocky reef ideal for training.
• ✓Clear Strait-influenced water with reliable Mediterranean visibility.

Getting There

Reach Ceuta by ferry from Algeciras or the Balearia fast ferry from Málaga; Melilla is reached by ferry from Málaga or flights from the peninsula. Both have local dive centres.