At the northwest of the Canaries archipelago, a few hundred miles from the coast of north-west Africa, lies the island of La Palma, also known as La Isla Bonita, because of its extraordinary natural beauty.

For most divers the underwater scenery is the highlight of La Palma: the volcanic landscape of the surface continues under the surface so you can explore canyons, caves, chimneys, grottos, tunnels and sheer walls. Diving is conducted on the east, south and west coast with the dive operators being concentrated in Los Cancajos and Puerto Naos. Most dive centres have English speaking guides. Nitrox is available at some centres, but is advisable to check before you book. Diving on La Palma means diving in volcanic landscapes on really untouched dive sites.

On the south coast there is The Crosses of Malpique dive site - In the year 1570 40 Jesuit missionaries came to Puerto Tazacorte with their ship, because they were pursued by French pirates. Believing to have succeeded in shaking off their pursuers, after a short stop they continued their journey, which was to take them over Santa Cruz to South America. But the pirates had only hidden themselves and somewhere between Punta Larga and El Faro and the missionaries were captured and killed. In the year 2000, 40 stone crosses were lowered into the sea in memory of the missionaries.

At Los Cancajos, there are various dive sites, such as Sea Fan, The Wing and the Caves and Tunnels.

• The Crosses of Malpique
• The caves and tunnels whic can be dived from all over La Palma