Buceo La Restinga
SSI center in La Restinga, El Hierro, highly rated by divers, with 24+ volcanic sites, a 30m depth cap, and the top recommendation on Spanish dive forums.
SSI2 languages
Baja Bocarones
Also known as: Bocarona, Bocarones, el Rocón Monstruoso, La Baja Bocarones, Punta Bocarone
Two volcanic rock towers on a sandy plateau east of La Restinga, outside the marine reserve, one with vertical walls rising in open blue water.
Last updated October 2026
The dive
Two towers of volcanic rock stand on a sandy plateau at the foot of the cliffs that form the island shelf here. The smaller one is sharper and sits closer to the coast. Across the sand flat, with stone reefs on both sides, the larger tower rises with absolutely vertical walls, and its base meets the sand at about 25 m on the north side. Black coral and moray eels fill the cracks and the deeper zones. Groupers are seen along the wall, schools of sargo circle the rock, and rays lie on the sand at its foot.
What makes it special
The larger tower is a column of volcanic rock whose walls are so vertical that island tourism guides write that it is hard to believe human hands did not shape it. There is no gradual slope to read the depth from. The wall rises straight out of the sand into open blue water, and divers who photograph here favour the outline of the towers against that blue. Cavities and holes break the rock face, and one description adds narrow tunnels.
Know before you go
The dive runs only when wind and current allow. The east side takes the full force of the trade winds, and on a rough morning the day's diving goes elsewhere, so a trip to El Hierro cannot be planned around this site. On the south side the larger tower falls to more than 50 m by one operator's account, well below the 25 to 30 m of the usual route: agree a turning depth at the briefing and keep to it.
Why Dive Baja Bocarones
What makes this dive site stand out.
- Twin volcanic towers
Two rock towers stand on a sandy plateau at the foot of the island-shelf cliffs.
- Vertical-walled column
The larger tower has absolutely vertical walls, described locally as an obelisk.
- Open-water setting
Outside the marine reserve on the east side, open to the trade winds.
- Black coral in the cracks
Cracks and deeper zones of the towers hold black coral and moray eels.
Depth & Profile
7–30m
Depth range (reported)
10–30m
Typical range
PinnacleWallSandRockVolcanic
Location
27.6410°N, 17.9802°W
Conditions & difficulty
Visibility
10–30m
ModerateMin cert: Open Water
One operator that runs the site states no particular licence is needed: beginners follow the whole route to 18-20 m, and advanced divers go on to the tower base and the sand at 30 m.
Summary
Graded medium in island guides and not usually complicated, since it is dived only in good sea conditions; the current on the day sets the real difficulty.
Safety considerations
What can go wrong here, and what divers do about it. Conditions change - take the briefing from the operator on the day.
- Depth: The south side of the larger tower falls past 50 m by one operator's account, far below the 25 to 30 m of the usual route.Agree a turning depth at the briefing and hold it on your computer.
- Surface and boat traffic: The east side is open to the trade winds, so the dive can be cancelled on the day.Treat the centre's go or no-go call as final and keep a plan for another site.
Marine Life
Dive Centers
View allBook a guided dive at this site.
Centro de Buceo El Hierro
Dive centre in La Restinga, El Hierro, operating since 1978 and certified under PADI, FEDAS/CMAS and ESA, with a stable, named team and bundled trip logistics.
PADI / CMAS / FEDAS / ESA7 services2 languages
Meridiano Cero
Francophone owner-run dive centre in La Restinga, El Hierro. Triple eco-certified, six divers per zodiac, top-rated across both major review platforms.
FFESSM / SSI / PADI3 languages
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Baja Bocarones lie east or south-west of La Restinga?▾
East. The boats run about 15 minutes from La Restinga toward the east, to a point roughly three nautical miles from the southern tip of the island, up the east coast. One island description places it south-west of the Herreña coast, which does not match the route the dive centres run.
Can I count on angel sharks between the towers in winter?▾
Angel sharks are listed on the sand flat between December and March, and divers describe them as not hard to find there, but a sighting is never promised. They are critically endangered and well camouflaged: let the guide point them out and keep your distance, with no touching.
Is there a cave through the smaller tower?▾
One local dive guide describes a smaller rock with its base at about 20 m and a cave running through it. That is a single account, so ask your guide whether the dive includes it. Anything beyond natural light is overhead diving and needs its own training.
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