La Herradura

La Herradura is a boat dive off Palm Mar in Tenerife, built around a curved, horseshoe-shaped volcanic reef that opens into a broad sandy centre. It is also known as Los Roncadores del Palm Mar, after the schools that often gather inside the curve.

You descend onto the upper volcanic platform and follow the reef as it curves round. The rock drops from around 10 metres toward sand at 20 to 21 metres, with gullies, small caves and ledges along the boundary between reef and seabed. The curved shape gives different route options across the rocks and sand when the water starts to move.

Barracuda and bogues move above the reef, while moray eels, octopus and Canarian lobsters shelter in the cracks. Rays rest on the sand and seasonal angel sharks are possible at the right time of year. There is not always a current, but it can become moderate.