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Scuba diver captures images at an underwater shipwreck.
📷 Leonardo Lamas · Pexels

Societat d'Exploracions Submarines de Tarragona

3.9 — based on 17 community signals
4.3 12 species 37 contributors

Historic dive site at Tarragona's Port lighthouse offers year-round access and documented marine life encounters.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryBoatOnlyBeginnerCurrentVaries
+1 more
Seasonal

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

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Map

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Societat d'Exploracions Submarines de Tarragona location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
3.3 kn
Wave
0.32 m
Water
26.3°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: S (23%)
Now: N (360°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.21m

Today: High 14:00 (-0.46m), Low 05:00 (-0.53m)

+-0.4 m-0.6 m
▼ 05:00 · -0.53m ▼ 07:00 · -0.54m ▲ 14:00 · -0.46m ▼ 00:00 · -0.57m Now -0.5m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV5.9 · mod Air PM2.55 · good 07:39 19:57
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 8.2 0.38 6 0mm
09-20 6.6 0.22 6 0mm
09-21 9.7 0.38 6 0mm
09-22 6.3 0.36 6 0mm
09-23 7.8 0.32 6 0mm
09-24 9 0.22 5 0mm
09-25 7.3 0.34 4 0mm

About this spot

Far de la Banya lighthouse marks one of Tarragona's most accessible dive locations in Catalonia's busy port zone. The site sits outside marine protection areas, making it a straightforward entry point for divers exploring Spain's Mediterranean coast. Community records show 12 species observations at the site, giving divers insight into local marine activity. Three video submissions document conditions and underwater features, providing useful reference material before your visit. The lighthouse itself serves as a natural navigation landmark visible from the water. Year-round diving is possible, though Mediterranean conditions vary seasonally. The port environment means you'll encounter working maritime traffic, so dive planning and communication with local operators is essential. This isn't a pristine reef—it's a functional working port where the underwater environment reflects industrial use and activity. Divers here typically focus on the structural elements and marine life adapted to harbor conditions. The site works well for building local knowledge and understanding Mediterranean urban diving. Visibility and depth vary with tides and seasonal changes. Local expertise is valuable for timing dives safely around port operations. Video evidence shows active marine life use despite the industrial setting.

📖 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

ShoreBoat

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 · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 1161km · ~267kg · €5

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's the best time to dive Far de la Banya?

Year-round diving is possible at this Tarragona site. Mediterranean conditions shift seasonally—summer brings calmer water and longer daylight, while winter offers cooler temperatures and variable conditions. Port activity remains constant, so check local conditions before each dive.

What's the difficulty level and depth?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings aren't documented in available records. The port environment requires awareness of maritime traffic and strong tide management. Consult local dive operators or community divers familiar with current conditions before planning your dive.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species observations are recorded at the site. Community videos show active marine life despite the industrial harbor setting. Expect creatures adapted to port environments. Check recent video submissions to see what divers are currently encountering.

Do I need permits or special access?

The site sits outside marine protection areas, simplifying access restrictions. However, it's a functioning commercial port. Coordinate with local dive operators who understand port regulations and can arrange safe entry around maritime traffic and operations.

Operators near this spot

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

Societat d'Exploracions Submarines de Tarragona

0 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

33 records · 24 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Acanthocardia paucicostata

Bivalvia · Cardiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Jan 2026
×1records

Albunea carabus

Malacostraca · Albuneidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Jan 2026
×1records

Goneplax rhomboides

Malacostraca · Goneplacidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Jan 2026
×1records

Ilia nucleus

Malacostraca · Leucosiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Jan 2026
×1records

Pecten jacobaeus

Bivalvia · Pectinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Jan 2026
×1records

Solecurtus strigilatus

Bivalvia · Solecurtidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Jan 2026
×1records

Scyliorhinus canicula

Elasmobranchii · Scyliorhinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
6 May 2023
×1records

Bivalvia

Bivalvia
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Jul 2021
×1records
Depth:
6 m

Bivalvia

Bivalvia
OBIS
Last seen:
13 Jul 2020
×2records
Depth:
1 m

Bivalvia

Bivalvia
OBIS
Last seen:
29 Jul 2019
×2records
Depth:
1–6 m

Bivalvia

Bivalvia
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2014
×1records
Depth:
1 m

Pagurus prideaux

Malacostraca · Paguridae
OBIS
Last seen:
29 May 2014
×1records
Depth:
554–595 m

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.

170806 Tarragona Underwater Park (2,7 K)

Pedro MP

Buceo en la Dragonera

Pepe Esteller

La Dragonera Ship Wreck SES Tarragona 2017 (Catalonia-Spain)

Gabi C. B.

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "Oficina on organitzen, tallers seminaris, pràctiques. Nom: campus training"

    Uanraf · 2022-11-14
  • "Aquesta turbo rotonda se la sol dir com a "Turborotonda de Tarragona", "Turborotonda de la T-11" o més senzillament com a "la Turborotonda". Aquests noms, si bé crec que no oficials, són molt usats per referir-se a aquesta rotonda i s'haurien d'etiquetar perquè aplicacions els puguin usar. (A on anirien: a name= mateix, o a alt_name= o loc_name=?)"

    Xavizard Knight · 2026-01-31
  • "El tram de la T-11 que va des de la rotonda de les Gavarres fins a la Turborotonda té nom propi? Hi han diverses senyals de trànsit a l'A-7 i a prop de la turborotonda i de la rotonda de les Gavarres que hi posen diversos noms. Algunes senyals diuen que aquest tram central es diu "Avinguda Barris de Ponent" i altres diuen que aquesta via es diu "Via Europa". S'haurien d'etiquetar d'alguna forma aquests noms? Tots dos o sols un? Caldria mirar aviam si hi ha algun mapa o fonts oficials de quin s"

    Xavizard Knight · 2026-01-31

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