Dive into the magical Mediterranean with PADI. With 90,000km of coastline, rich marine life and diverse corals, the Mediterranean Sea is a world class destination for divers
The region is a diver’s paradise and beneath the warm turquoise waters a wealth of hidden treasures are waiting to be found, from ancient shipwrecks to subtropical wildlife, colourful reef scape, excellent marine parks and diverse ecosystems. There really is something here for everyone with year round diving opportunities and a vast choice of destinations that divers of all skill levels can enjoy. If you haven’t yet discovered the underwater world but you’re thinking about becoming a diver, as summer approaches it’s the perfect time to dive in and learn to scuba.
But how do you get started? PADI is the world’s largest and most popular diver organisation and with them, you can discover everything you need to know about scuba diving lessons and PADI certification. The first step is to book your PADI Open Water Diver Course with a verified PADI Dive Centre. In doing so, you can be assured you’re receiving top training from qualified dive professionals. They will guide you as you begin this exciting journey underwater. In this edition, PADI gives us some insight into some of the lesser-known diving jewels in the Mediterranean.
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The Medas Islands are an archipelago made up of around seven small islands and some islets off the northeast coast of Spain. A national marine park that has been protected since 1990 with an abundance
of incredible underwater life making this a diver’s paradise. The variety of underwater fauna and flora is incredible and in a small area, you can see most species of Mediterranean marine life, in sizes and colours that need to be seen to be believed including; groupers, barracudas, moray eels, dentex, eagle rays, red hard coral, soft coral, nudibranches. The longest island in the group is Meda Grande. At a shallow depth you will find an abundance of life, colours, and great landscapes including caves, tunnels, underwater forests, and more. Past 20 metres you are already in absolute darkness where there are up to 600 different species providing a multitude of colours to the underwater environment.JTNDaHIlMjBzdHlsZSUzRCUyMmhlaWdodCUzQTJweCUzQmJvcmRlci13aWR0aCUzQTAlM0Jjb2xvciUzQWdyYXklM0JiYWNrZ3JvdW5kLWNvbG9yJTNBZ3JheSUyMiUzRQ==
CORFU, GREECE
The Ionian Sea is an elongated bay of the Mediterranean Sea and Corfu is the biggest of the Ionian islands. Some of the best sites can be found on Corfu with thriving marine life of barracuda, moray eels, shrimp, reef fish and critters. Visibility is always pretty good. Corfu has a great wreck, The HMS Regulus, which sunk in 1945 as well as caves to explore. Some caves are more for advanced divers and cave specialists, while others are also ideal for non- divers that can explore them from the surface. The Hole of Ha is one of the more famous dive sites and caverns in Corfu that goes inside a mountain. However, it does not have a cover, so the reflection and the rays of the sun create a beautiful light effect that make diving there very special. The dive site, House Reef, is protected from strong currents and therefore a good place for all levels as there is plenty to see in the first 18m.
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KORKULA, CROATIA
Diving off Korkula is like exploring a never-ending world of underwater wonders. The sixth largest island in Croatia, the island is know for its dense forests and medieval squares and palaces, but the real jewels of this region lies in the coastal waters. The pristine visibility of the water and plethora of marine life makes for a dive experience like no other. You will be in awe at the mesmerising beauty of the caves, walls and shipwrecks that await you. You’ll encounter beautiful tropical fish, sponges, anemones, and sea fans. And if you’re really lucky, there’s a chance to see seahorses on the seagrass beds. It is truly a spectacular place for diving and for underwater exploration. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, a diver or a snorkeler, you’ll be sure to have a great time off Korčula’s stunningly beautiful coast!
To find your nearest PADI dive centre and instructor and to find out more about their ocean conservation initiatives visit www.padi.com
