Snorkeling Guide

Good to know

What to expect?

The water quality around Menorca is exceptional with crystal clear, warm turquoise waters. you will be surprised at what is just a few yards away in the shallow waters especially the rocky fringes of beaches.

Snorkel Guide

Fun - Casual Snorkeling at your Resort

Nearly all beaches have gentle sloping sandy bottoms. Children will see small fish ( Sand steenbras ) almost anywhere on Menorca at their local beach, usually looking for food in sand sent up by the bather's feet. But if you want to see (and a chance to see Octopus) more varied fish head to the areas with rocks, where they eat Algae and like the shelter. Best places usually at the sides of coved beaches further out away from the bathers or slightly offshore on beaches without bays.

What fish will you see while Snorkeling?

Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse . Usually alone or with couple of others feeding on the rocks. Beautiful fish that will wow little children

Damselfish. Very common in shoals ( look under bouys and boats ) . Dark color, small and thin. If you see shoals of tiny vivid electric blue color fish, these are the young. Again big smiles from children as the colour is Vivid. They are grouped in fairly dense shoals at shallow depths where they can find protection.

Salema or Salpa - This is a herbivorous fish so it is usually close to algae or posidonia ( sea grass ). It´s usually easy to spot with it's colouring and very common in Menorcan waters.

Saddled Seabream very common and easy to see under water It´s a very curious and Smart/caustuis fish especially the big ones. . LargeIts basic colors are silver gray with a black spot at the base of the caudal fin surrounded by a white ring.

Striped Mullet Very commmon fish with a long body, large eyes, olive green back and silver sides. They usually swim near the surface in large groups.

Snorkeling Tips

Any visit to a virgin beach should include a Snorkel and mask in your bag.

Check wind directions before any excursion - North coast is very exposed to winds from north so head to southern coast for calm , clear waters.

Jellyfish - Wind direction and Swells

Check out Windy.com over Menorca below for sea swells and wind direction...the ONLY things that help predict if Jelly fish might make it to a beach near you ( actually pretty rare ! )

Sea Scooters

Are a great way to see fish and marine life in Menorca's waters and a help for for not so strong swimmers to see more ( Seniors ). You are pulled along by a safe propellor. Wear a life jacket to stay on the surface or not to explore! ( safety cut-outs ) .

Seascooters can be hired in Son Xoriguer ( Big Foot ) ,Cala Galdana ( Audax Sports ) and from Snorkelling trip companies.

Self-Guided Snorkel Trips

Water Taxis can offer private bespoke beach / coastline excursions for small groups

Menorca best Snorkel locations

Snorkeling around Caló Fondo (Binissafúller) S’Escala near Es Grau

Beaches and Coves in the Marine Reserve

On the north coast of Menorca is an extensive Marine Reserve ( No fishing is allowed ) where there is abundant sealife. Try Es Grau and Fornells bays and coast line. The Virgin beaches of Pregona,Binimel-la,Cala Tirant and Cavalleria are all in the Marine Reserve.

Guided Snorkel Trips

For those looking for more, many of the Dive centres organise boat trips ( Snorkel Safaris ) out to interesting sites around the island and resort bays in the area.

Trips in fast Ribs ( speedboats ) to the Marine reserve complete with guide and snorkel equipment.

Some Boat Excursions offer Snorkeling as part of a longer trip.

Menorca Snorkel Excursions

Snorkel in Menorca's Marine reserves where sea life is most abundant and dramatic