La Restinga, Canary Islands, Spain

Punta de la Sal

Punta de la Sal is one of the most accessible classic dives of the Mar de las Calmas reserve at El Hierro, just east of La Restinga harbour. The site is a sloping volcanic shoulder running from 8 metres on the inshore boulders to 30 metres on the deeper rocky plateau, decorated by stripes of light-coloured pumice and dense growths of yellow encrusting anemones, sponges and small black coral colonies. Because the reserve has been fully protected for decades, large dusky groupers approach divers with little fear and are the signature subject of the dive. The site is also reliable for moray eels, octopus, large parrotfish, schools of bastard grunt and frequent passes of amberjack and barracuda. With weak currents, easy depth profile and visibility commonly above 30 metres, Punta de la Sal is an ideal introduction to the reserve and a preferred spot for underwater photographers thanks to its consistent ambient light.