Ibiza named Europe's top diving location

The Balearic Island of Ibiza has been recognised by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) as Europe’s best diving location.

The President of Ibiza Council, Xico Tarres, met with representatives of PADI earlier this week to receive the award which cements Ibiza’s position asEurope’s best diving location.

Ibiza offers the choice of 12 PADI associated diving centres, two of which have also achieved further recognition.  Puntadrive, with four diving centres in Ibiza was recognised for having made the greatest number of ‘first time dives’ in Spain, whilst Vellmarí Europe located in the Portof Marina Botafochwas named as Europe’s most innovative diving centre with the largest number of online courses.

Ibiza’s seabed is unexpectedly colourful and diverse. The standard is such that in 1999 UNESCO declared the Posidonia seabed a World Heritage Site. Some of the most outstanding places on the island to practice scuba diving include Sa Pedrera, Ses Margalides and the islands of Es Vedranell or IslesBledes. Ibiza’s underworld is an experience of intense tranquillity for both amateur and professional divers who are eager to discover the many hidden caves and wreckages that mark years of nautical history. In the last few years Don Pedro, the merchant cargo ship that sunk off Ibiza’s main Port in 2007 has recently been opened up for recreational diving and at 140m in length is the biggest of its kind in Europe.

The Regional Minister for Territorial Planning and Tourism, Pepa Marí, congratulated the diving centres which have helped encourage tourism on the island.

For more information, visit: ibiza.travel