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Palm Mar Wall, South Tenerife
Palm Mar Wall is one of the signature boat dives in South Tenerife. It combines a volcanic wall, giant basalt boulders and a sandy plateau where large marine life is frequently encountered.
DIVE SITE OVERVIEW
RECOMMENDED LEVEL
Advanced Open Water
MOORING / START DEPTH
Approx. 9 m
Why We Love Palm Mar Wall
Palm Mar perfectly showcases Tenerife's volcanic origins. The dark volcanic wall creates an immediate sense of scale, while the large boulder field gives the dive a dramatic, almost architectural feeling. As the reef opens into sand, the atmosphere changes completely and the dive becomes a search for rays, turtles and seasonal angel sharks.
It is also one of those sites where the scenery alone is worth the dive. Even when large animals are shy, the route through the boulders, the view into the blue and the clean volcanic lines make it a spectacular underwater landscape.
Palm Mar Wall is widely regarded as one of the finest boat dive sites in South Tenerife. Located just off the coast of Palm Mar and the cliffs of Montaña Guaza, this dive combines everything that makes scuba diving in Tenerife so memorable: volcanic topography, excellent visibility, varied habitats and frequent encounters with large marine life.
Unlike many dive sites that feature only a reef or a wall, Palm Mar offers several different underwater environments in a single dive. Divers descend near a volcanic wall, move through enormous basalt boulders and reach a sandy plateau at around 25-26 metres. Each habitat attracts different species, making every dive feel unique.
For divers hoping to see Atlantic stingrays, butterfly rays, schools of barracuda, turtles and, in winter, the elusive angel shark, Palm Mar Wall is one of the most rewarding boat dives in Tenerife.
UNDERWATER LANDSCAPE
Palm Mar Wall offers one of the most varied underwater landscapes in South Tenerife. The dive begins beside a volcanic wall before opening into a labyrinth of giant basalt boulders shaped by ancient lava flows. These formations create holes, crevices and sheltered spaces where octopus, moray eels and smaller reef species can hide during daylight.
Further away from the rocks, the seabed changes into open sand. This transition zone between reef and sand is one of the most important parts of the dive because it attracts many of the larger animals divers hope to encounter: stingrays, butterfly rays, turtles and seasonal angel sharks.
The contrast between dark volcanic rock, pale sand and blue Atlantic water makes Palm Mar Wall especially strong for wide-angle photography and video. The site has depth, scale and movement, which makes it visually more powerful than many shallow reef dives.
MARINE LIFE
Marine life you might see
Atlantic Stingray
YEAR-ROUND
One of the most reliable highlights of Palm Mar Wall. Stingrays are often found resting on the sandy plateau, sometimes partially buried under sand. Maintain respectful distance and avoid blocking their path.
Butterfly rays are regularly seen gliding over the sandy areas or resting near the edge of the volcanic formations. Their wide shape makes them spectacular for underwater photography.
Large schools of barracuda can appear in the blue water above the wall and along the reef edge, especially when visibility is excellent.
Loggerhead Turtle
UNCOMMON
Turtles are never guaranteed, but Palm Mar is one of the sites where encounters are possible, especially around the reef and open water near the fish-farm area.
Angel Shark (Winter Season)
WINTER · NOV-MAR
During the cooler months, Palm Mar can produce sightings of the critically endangered angel shark resting on the sand. These encounters must always be quiet and respectful.
Snappers and Sardines
YEAR-ROUND
Schools of snappers and sardines often gather around the reef and boulder field, adding movement and life to the scene.
CONDITIONS & SUITABILITY
Visibility
Usually 20-30+ metres on good days.
Current
Usually mild, but can vary with tides, wind and sea state.
Temperature
Approx. 18°C in winter to 25°C in late summer.
Best season
Year-round; winter is best for possible angel shark sightings.
Exposure protection
Most divers are comfortable in 5 mm; colder divers may prefer 7 mm in winter.
PERFECT FOR
Advanced Open Water divers, divers with good buoyancy control, underwater photographers, boat diving enthusiasts and guests hoping to see larger marine life.
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR
Newly certified Open Water divers: the most rewarding part of the dive is around 25-26 metres, which is beyond the standard Open Water depth limit.
💡BARBARIAN INSTRUCTOR TIP
Do not spend the entire dive looking only at the wall. The sandy plateau is where we most frequently encounter stingrays, butterfly rays and winter angel sharks. During the ascent, look into the blue as well: schools of barracuda often appear when divers least expect it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Advanced Open Water certification?
Yes. We recommend Palm Mar Wall for Advanced Open Water divers because the highlight of the dive reaches approximately 26 metres.
Is Palm Mar Wall a shore dive?
No. Palm Mar Wall is a boat dive.
Can beginners dive Palm Mar Wall?
We recommend easier sites for newly certified divers, such as Las Vistas, Abades or other shallow training-friendly sites depending on conditions.
What marine life can I expect?
Common highlights include Atlantic stingrays, butterfly rays, barracuda, snappers, sardines, turtles and seasonal angel sharks.
Is it good for photography?
Yes. Palm Mar Wall is excellent for wide-angle photography thanks to the wall, boulder field, visibility and larger marine life.
Are sightings guaranteed?
No. Marine life is wild and never guaranteed, but Palm Mar Wall is one of the most rewarding sites in South Tenerife for larger species.
Ready to dive Palm Mar Wall?
Message us on WhatsApp to check conditions and book your boat dive. English, German or Spanish.
