El Balito - Canary Islands

Jocker Reef, a quick boat ride from Beau Vallon, is one of those sites that delivers exactly what it promises – a proper Indian Ocean coral reef. We love dropping onto the sandy patch next to the reef. The depth is nice and shallow, topping out around 15 metres, so you get plenty of bottom time to really look for things. It’s a site that feels alive with fish. Expect to see big schools of scad and fusiliers hanging over the bommies, and we’ve often found orbicular batfish just cruising past, almost ignoring us. Look closer and the sand patches often host flathead sleepers and those tiny Indo-pacific tropical sand gobies. Keep an eye out for Ernie’s sueviota, a little blenny we always enjoy spotting. Current can be a bit of a mixed bag; sometimes it’s a gentle push, other times it’s a good workout, but it generally keeps the big schools of fish active. This is a great spot for photographers keen on macro subjects and wide-angle reef shots without going too deep. It’s a solid choice for an easy afternoon dive, letting you slow down and really observe the reef life.

Location
Canary Islands, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
28.138600, -16.792000
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Acantilados de Isorana

Best Time to Dive in Canary Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Canary Islands occur in September, averaging 23.7°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 19.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 20.1°C
  • February: 19.5°C
  • March: 19.3°C
  • April: 19.8°C
  • May: 20.6°C
  • June: 21.8°C
  • July: 22.6°C
  • August: 23.1°C
  • September: 23.7°C
  • October: 23.5°C
  • November: 22.4°C
  • December: 21.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Canary Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to El Balito

Marine Life in Canary Islands

Home to 80 recorded species including 50 reef fish, 9 whales & dolphins, 8 sharks & rays, 2 octopus & squid, 2 crabs & lobsters, 2 worms.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for El Balito

Based on average water temperature of 21.5°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 21°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories