Montaña Amarilla (Yellow Mountain) is a nature reserve located in the south of Tenerife, near the town of Costa del Silencio. The diving area in Montaña Amarilla is accessible from the shore, which makes it a perfect destination for divers of all levels.
The depth in this area varies from 5 to 20 meters, which makes it ideal for beginner and intermediate divers. The currents are usually mild, which facilitates the dive and allows us to enjoy the marine life.
🧭 The best areas to dive in Montaña Amarilla
There are several interesting areas to dive in Yellow Mountain. Among the most popular are:
- El Arco: It is an arch-shaped rock formation located at a depth of about 10 meters. This area is full of marine life, such as moray eels, octopus, hermit crabs and starfish.
- El Pasaje: This is an area of rocks and caves located at a depth of about 18 meters. This area offers a spectacular scenery for divers, with a large amount of marine life and an impressive underwater topography.
- The Tower: It is a concrete structure that is located about 5 meters deep. This structure is covered with marine life, and is a perfect place for beginner divers who want to explore the area.
🐠 What marine species can be seen at Montaña Amarilla?
- Tropical fish: At Montaña Amarilla you can find a great variety of tropical fish of different sizes, colors and shapes. Some of the most common are clown fish, angelfish, parrot fish, butterfly fish and surgeon fish. These fish are very showy and are often seen swimming in schools near the surface.
- Moray eels: Moray eels are a type of fish characterized by their elongated, scaleless body and large, toothed mouth. In Montaña Amarilla, you can find moray eels of different sizes, from small to specimens of more than one meter in length. These fish are usually hidden in caves and crevices, but sometimes they come to the surface to feed.
- Octopuses: Octopuses are fascinating animals characterized by their eight tentacles and their ability to change color and texture to camouflage themselves with their surroundings. At Montaña Amarilla, you can find octopuses of different sizes, from small to specimens of more than one meter in length. These animals are usually hidden in caves and crevices, but sometimes they are seen swimming along the seabed.
- Hermit crabs: Hermit crabs are crustaceans characterized by inhabiting empty shells of other animals, such as snails. In Montaña Amarilla, hermit crabs of different sizes and colors can be found, and they are often seen walking along the seabed in search of new shells to live in.
- Starfish: Starfish are marine animals characterized by their flat, star-shaped bodies. At Montaña Amarilla, you can find starfish of different sizes and colors, and they are often seen walking slowly along the seabed.
- Sea turtles: At Montaña Amarilla, it is common to spot sea turtles, especially in the summer months. These animals are large and majestic, and are often seen swimming near the surface in search of food.
- Rays and manta rays: At Montaña Amarilla it is possible to see rays and manta rays, two fascinating and beautiful marine animals to observe in their natural habitat. Stingrays have a flattened and rounded shape, while manta rays have a more triangular shape with a large, flat head and a short, pointed tail.
These are just some of the marine species that can be found in Montaña Amarilla. It is important to remember that all these species are part of the rich biodiversity that inhabits the natural reserve, so it is important to respect the environment and follow the safety rules when diving.
🤿 Diving conditions at Montaña Amarilla.
To fully enjoy diving in Montaña Amarilla, it is important to take into account the weather and sea conditions. The best months for diving in this area are from April to November, when the waters are usually calmer and visibility is optimal.
The water temperature usually ranges between 18 and 25 degrees, so the use of 5 or 7 mm thick neoprene wetsuits is recommended.
In addition, it is important to keep in mind that Montaña Amarilla is a protected natural reserve, so the environment and the marine life that inhabits it must be respected. Divers must follow the safety rules and respect the dive signs.
📍How to get there?
Montaña Amarilla is located on the south coast of Tenerife, in the municipality of San Miguel de Abona. To get to Montaña Amarilla you must drive along the TF-1 and exit at the Las Chafiras-San Miguel-Los Abrigos junction, taking the TF-655 road. Just before kilometre 2 you will see a road heading towards the sea, the TF-652, which goes as far as Guargacho.
