Impérial du Large - Medes Islands

Impérial du Large. Just the name sounds grand, doesn’t it? And honestly, it lives up to it. This isn't a site for the faint of heart or the freshly certified. We're talking Medes Islands proper, out in the blue, often with a decent current pushing you along, but that’s precisely what makes it so good. Dropping in, the first thing you notice is the sheer scale. It’s a massive rock formation, almost like an underwater mountain, and the walls plunge down, disappearing into the murk. We love how the light plays on the upper sections, illuminating patches of sunset cup coral, an orange glow against the rock. This is where you come for the bigger stuff, the pelagics that drift past the main island cluster. Keep an eye out for dories ghosting by, their strange, flat bodies almost invisible. We've seen some impressive schools of blotched picarel here too, shimmering like a silver cloud. Look into the crevices and you might spot a black-bellied angler, perfectly camouflaged, or a shy common cuttlefish. Soldier fish congregate in the overhangs, their scales catching the light. It's an exhilarating dive, best enjoyed with good buoyancy and an appreciation for the open water. Our pick? Early morning, before the dive boats clog the surface.

Location
Medes Islands, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
43.169660, 5.394417

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

Nearby Dive Sites in Medes Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Impérial du Large

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

Recommended Packing List for Impérial du Large

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