Divesite Atlantis (La Rapadura)

The "La Rapadura" dive site is located about 25 minutes by boat from the port of Puerto de la Cruz. The volcanic reef near the coast emerges from the surface and forms a large rock about 50 meters from the cliff.

Underwater, the reef features typical volcanic basalt formations, hexagonal lava columns, and drop-offs. The drop-off, formed by hexagonal basalt columns, is spectacular. In the lower area, there are hundreds of broken basalt columns. The whole thing looks like the remains of the walls of Atlantis, with columns, stairs, and walls. But it's all the result of volcanic activity. It's astonishing what nature creates, making you feel like you're on an abandoned construction site.

Because this reef is unprotected at the front of a headland, high waves are often present and currents are almost always present. Due to the very challenging conditions we encounter at this dive site, it is absolutely only suitable for advanced divers. We don't accept beginners with only a few dives. An Advanced license alone doesn't qualify you to dive here unless you can demonstrate sufficient dive experience. It's better to already have a Rescue license or at least an AOWD and the Deep Diver specialty.

Here at the Rapadura, we find sardines, parrotfish, goatfish, groupers, grunts, goldfish, bream, trumpetfish, and rays. In the deeper areas at 40-45 meters, large yellow fan corals grow on the sandy bottom.