Cala de sa Riera - Medes Islands

Cala de sa Riera is one of those Mediterranean spots that just feels *right*. It's not the deepest dive, but what it lacks in vertical it makes up for in pure, unadulterated classic Med charm. We love drifting along the rocky slopes, eyes peeled for what’s hiding in the crevices. You’ll definitely spot dusky groupers – some real granddaddies here, watching you from their rocky apartments. We’ve had fantastic luck finding marbled electric rays buried in the sand patches, and the way they camouflage is genuinely impressive. Keep an eye out for common octopuses too; they're masters of disguise here, often blending seamlessly with the rocks until a tentacle twitches. The sandwich terns dipping and diving overhead add to the atmosphere, a reminder that there’s just as much action above the surface. Our favourite time to dive here is late morning, when the sun is high enough to really illuminate the sponge life. The black leather sponges are particularly striking. It's a relaxed dive, perfect for photographers wanting to take their time, or anyone who just wants to soak up the Mediterranean vibe without feeling rushed. Just watch for occasional surge if there's a bit of swell; it can make hovering near the rocks a bit more of a workout.

Location: Medes Islands, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 41.974160, 3.211860
Type: reef
Maximum Depth: 7-22m

Marine Protected Area: Muntanyes de Begur

Best Time to Dive in Medes Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Medes Islands occur in August, averaging 23.1°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 13.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 14.1°C
February: 13.3°C
March: 13.5°C
April: 14.4°C
May: 16.8°C
June: 20.5°C
July: 22.7°C
August: 23.1°C
September: 21.6°C
October: 19.4°C
November: 17.3°C
December: 15.0°C

Nearest Dive Centres to Cala de sa Riera

Marine Life in Medes Islands

Home to 78 recorded species including 56 reef fish, 8 sharks & rays, 5 octopus & squid, 4 whales & dolphins, 2 crabs & lobsters, 1 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
Moonfish (Mola mola) - Reef Fish
Capelin (Trisopterus capelanus) - Reef Fish
grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) - Seagrass & Algae
Black-bellied angler (Lophius budegassa) - Reef Fish
Atlantic Spotted Flounder (Citharus linguatula) - Reef Fish
dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
Thornback skate (Raja clavata) - Sharks & Rays
Mullet (Mullus barbatus) - Reef Fish
Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
conger (Conger conger) - Reef Fish
Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) - Reef Fish
Red Band-fish (Cepola macrophthalma) - Reef Fish
Gurnard (Trigla lyra) - Reef Fish
Soldier (Chelidonichthys cuculus) - Reef Fish
Jac (Helicolenus dactylopterus) - Reef Fish
Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters

Recommended Packing List for Cala de sa Riera

Based on average water temperature of 17.6°C, currents 14 cm/s.

Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 18°C water
Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
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