Sèche à l'Huile (les Sardinaux) - Medes Islands

Sèche à l'Huile, or les Sardinaux, is one of our favourite deep dives in the Medes. It’s a submerged seamount, basically a big rock rising from the deep, but it's the shape of it that we love – like a giant's thumb pointing up. Drop down, and you quickly hit the thermocline, often around 20 metres, where the light changes and the water cools. We've spent many a dive here just circling the seamount, letting the currents (which can be respectable, so keep an eye on your guide) carry us past the gorgeous pink sea fans. They really carpet the deeper sections. Look closer, and you'll spot common dolphins passing by in the blue, sometimes just a fleeting shadow, other times a whole pod. It's an easy drift, though you need to be comfortable with depth and understand potential currents. We'd suggest going in the morning; the light filters through the water beautifully then, illuminating the deeper walls. Keep an eye out for the razorbacks, they’re often spotted here, ghosting along the bottom. It’s a dive that rewards a slow pace and a keen eye, perfect for those who appreciate the quieter drama of the deep Med.

Location
Medes Islands, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
43.310284, 6.685090

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 Sèche à l'Huile (les Sardinaux)

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 Sèche à l'Huile (les Sardinaux)

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