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OpenWaterAtlas
Captured underwater scene showcasing fish and vibrant marine life in Formentera, Balearic Islands.
📷 mysurrogateband · Pexels

Arco de Formentera

3.9 — based on 18 community signals
4.2 12 species 22 contributors

Arco de Formentera is a protected dive site in Spain's Parc natural de ses Salines, offering year-round access to Mediterranean marine life.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

🐢 MPA · Parc natural de ses Salines updated 4 months ago
MPAShore entry

At a glance

Activity
dive
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

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Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
Arco de Formentera location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
9.6 kn
Wave
0.62 m
Water
26.7°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NE (28%)
Now: E (85°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.16m

Next: Low at 02:00 (-0.43m)

+-0.4 m-0.6 m
▼ 02:00 · -0.43m ▼ 05:00 · -0.45m ▼ 07:00 · -0.46m ▲ 09:00 · -0.45m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV6.15 · high Air PM2.53 · good 07:39 19:56
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 15.2 0.96 6 0mm
09-20 11.1 0.8 6 0mm
09-21 8.5 0.52 6 0mm
09-22 7.7 0.2 6 0mm
09-23 5.5 0.1 6 0mm
09-24 5.8 0.08 6 0mm
09-25 3.5 0.14 6 0mm

About this spot

Arco de Formentera sits within the Parc natural de ses Salines, a marine protected area off Spain's Balearic Islands. The site is accessible year-round, making it a reliable destination for divers planning trips to the region. As part of a protected zone, the area maintains strict conservation standards that support healthy marine ecosystems. The site has documented marine life observations, with 12 species recorded in the area. This biodiversity reflects the health of the Mediterranean waters surrounding Formentera. Divers can expect encounters with typical Mediterranean fauna, though specific species lists and depth profiles vary seasonally. Access to Arco de Formentera is subject to marine protected area regulations. These rules exist to preserve the environment and ensure sustainable diving practices. Plan ahead for permits and operational requirements—contact local dive operators for current restrictions and conditions. Community footage from three videos provides insight into site conditions and what divers have experienced. These resources help you prepare for your dive and understand the underwater terrain before arriving.

📖 Guide: Diving in Spain: 91 Sites From Kelp Forests to Barracuda Walls

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/F · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 1425km · ~328kg · €6

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 77/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 7h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 6h east · 4 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Arco de Formentera?

The site is accessible year-round. Conditions vary seasonally, so check with local operators for visibility and water temperature during your planned dates.

What depth and difficulty level is this site?

Depth and difficulty data are not currently documented. Contact local dive operators or check community videos for site-specific information before your dive.

What marine life can I expect to see?

Twelve species have been observed at Arco de Formentera. The protected area supports Mediterranean fauna, though specific species encounter rates depend on season and conditions.

Do I need permits to dive here?

Yes—Arco de Formentera is within the Parc natural de ses Salines, a marine protected area. Check local regulations and contact operators for current permit requirements and access rules.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Vellmari

2.7 km
Dive centre

Formentera Divers

2.7 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

79 records · 44 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Ilia nucleus

Nut-crab
Malacostraca · Leucosiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
14 Mar 2026
×1records

Anemonia viridis

Anthozoa · Actiniidae
GBIF
Last seen:
2 Mar 2026
×1records

Phorcus articulatus

Phorcus articulatus
Gastropoda · Trochidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×2records

Columbella rustica

Rustic dovesnail
Gastropoda · Columbellidae
GBIF
Last seen:
27 Feb 2026
×5records

Cerithium vulgatum

Common cerith
Gastropoda · Cerithiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
27 Feb 2026
×5records

Phorcus turbinatus

Phorcus turbinatus
Gastropoda · Trochidae
GBIF
Last seen:
27 Feb 2026
×4records

Patella ulyssiponensis

Rough limpet
Gastropoda · Patellidae
GBIF
Last seen:
27 Feb 2026
×1records

Pisania striata

Pisania striata
Gastropoda · Pisaniidae
GBIF
Last seen:
27 Feb 2026
×1records

Smaragdia viridis

Gastropoda · Neritidae
GBIF
Last seen:
26 Feb 2026
×1records

Pachygrapsus marmoratus

Marbled Rock Crab
Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Feb 2026
×3records

Clibanarius erythropus

Clibanarius erythropus
Malacostraca · Diogenidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Feb 2026
×2records

Stramonita haemastoma

Florida rocksnail
Gastropoda · Muricidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Feb 2026
×2records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Diving at El Arco in Formentera Spain

midtownmagic1
💬 3 top comments
  • Saludos desde ibiza os pongo una video respuesta de un video de naturaleza de Ibiza . endavant !

    @eivistube · 👍 0
  • i found this by seaerching destroyer fiery furnaces yay this is cool

    @satanjams · 👍 0
  • Nice terrain... if those divers would practice their buoyancy control, balance and fin strokes it would be even better. :-)

    @dsapasd · 👍 0

Snorkeling and Free-Diving Mediterranean Caves in Formentera, Spain

David Wetzel

Diving in Arco ( Formentera)

mountseasoul
💬 1 top comments
  • Que inmersión más chula. Que cámara llevas que se ve súper bien?

    @davidjimenez4286 · 👍 1
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jul (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (100/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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