Menorca, the area around S'Algar Reef

Menorca · Spain · Wall · Reef

S'Algar Reef

Three finger reefs from 4 m down to 30 m, minutes from shore

Area photo: Alejandro Muñoz Cabrisas · CC BY-SA 4.0

S'Algar Reef is three finger reefs running offshore from S'Algar point, inside the Illa de l'Aire marine reserve and three minutes from the dive centre. They start in 4 metres and drop to a maximum of 30 on the offshore side, and the wall is cut with tunnels, holes, caverns, arches and overhangs, so the same site takes a training dive and a slow, careful wall dive.

Also known as S'Algar Reefs.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of S'Algar Reef: typical dive 4–30 m (13–100 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit4 m30 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

39.8311° N, 4.3016° EPublished position for this site.

The dive

The boat anchors over a huge rocky platform in front of the S'Algar urbanisation, three minutes out from the centre — short enough that the crossing is not a factor for anyone unsure of their sea legs. From the platform three finger reefs snake offshore, starting in only 4 metres of water and stepping down to a maximum of 30 on the outer side, which lets a group pick its depth to suit the divers rather than the site.

The dive runs along the wall of the reef, and the wall is the point: tunnels, holes and caverns of different characteristics, with arches and overhangs that repay going slowly and looking into them rather than swimming past. Inside the caves are cardinalfish, scorpionfish, shrimp and crabs; outside on the rock, groupers, moray eels and nudibranchs, with barracuda and shoals of amberjack working along the reef edge.

Marine life and season

  • Groupers
  • Barracuda
  • Trevally & jacks
  • Nudibranchs
  • Macro critters
Month-by-month season rating for S'Algar Reef
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Off-seasonOff-seasonOff-seasonFairGoodPrimePrimePrimePrimeGoodFairOff-season

Season follows Menorca: Menorca's tourist season runs May to October; June to September holds the warmest water, near 25–27°C in August, while February and March fall to about 12–14°C.

Questions divers ask

Is S'Algar Reef suitable for new divers?+

The shallow end of the finger reefs starts at about 4 metres and the boat ride is three minutes, so the site works for training and for divers who would rather not sit out a long crossing. The offshore side drops to 30 metres, which is a separate, deeper dive on the same reef.

Sources

  1. S'Algar Reef — Scubago
  2. Diving in Menorca's Marine Reserve - Dive Sites — S'Algar Diving
  3. About Us - Diving in the Marine Reserve in Menorca — S'Algar Diving

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