les Salines - Medes Islands

Les Salines is a Medes Islands classic, and it’s one we always try to hit when we’re in the area. It's not a deep dive, usually topping out around 20 metres, but the topography here is what we really love. You drop onto a rocky reef that’s just riddled with crevices and small caves, perfect for poking around with a torch. We often find brown combers peeking out from under ledges, and the wrasse here are particularly bold, swimming right up to your mask sometimes. What makes Les Salines a standout for us are the schools of fish – not massive pelagics, but dense shoals of Blacktail Bream and fusiliers that swirl around the pinnacles, creating a real sense of movement. We’ve even seen marbled electric rays settled on the sandy patches between the rocks, a truly cool sight if you’re paying attention. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too; butterfly blennies are common, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a spotted dragonet scuttling across the seabed. This site is brilliant for photographers and anyone who enjoys a slower, more exploratory dive. Our tip? Go early in the morning before the crowds, the light hitting the rocks is beautiful, and the fish are generally less skittish.

Location
Medes Islands, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
42.060955, 3.215371
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
10-25m

Marine Protected Area: Islas Medas

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 les Salines

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 les Salines

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