La Restinga
Spain · Canary Islands
La Restinga on El Hierro (Canary Islands) is volcanic Atlantic diving — black sand bottoms, manta rays, devil rays, occasional whale sharks, and the 2011 underwater volcanic eruption site that created new geology.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Subtropical volcanic seamount. Pelagic encounters drive dives; reef cover modest but stable.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
Warmer than usual right now, but not hot enough to bleach.
Fishing
Some fishing is allowed here, in marked zones.
Sources · Reef Life Survey · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
Coral cover over time
Live coral cover, by survey year
Across surveys in 2014 and 2024, live coral cover here has fallen from 22% to 20%. Every point is a real survey reading, never a projection.
Live coral cover, percent by year
| Year | Coral cover |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 22% |
| 2024 | 20% |
What you will see
16 species across the dive sites here
Blunt-Tentacled Anemone
Seen 1 month ago
at Museo Atlantico
European Common Cuttlefish
Seen 1 month ago
at Museo Atlantico
Least concern
Short-Snouted Seahorse
Seen 1 month ago
at Museo Atlantico
Least concern
Common Octopus
Seen 1 month ago
at Museo Atlantico
Least concern
Dusky grouper
Seen 1 month ago
at Museo Atlantico
Regal Sea Goddess
Seen 1 month ago
at Museo Atlantico
Angelshark
Seen 2 months ago
at Museo Atlantico
Critically endangered
Atlantic trumpetfish
Seen 2 months ago
at El Bajón
Least concern
European barracuda
Seen 3 months ago
at El Bajón
Least concern
Atlantic bonito
Seen Aug 2025
at El Bajón
Least concern
Barracuda
Seen Jun 2024
at Museo Atlantico
Least concern
Atlantic amberjack
Seen year round
at El Bajón
Least concern
Moray eel
Seen year round
at El Bajón
Least concern
Mobula ray (devil ray)
Seasonal visitor
at El Bajón
Critically endangered
Oceanic manta ray
Rare sighting
at El Bajón
Endangered
Whale shark
Rare sighting
at El Bajón
Endangered
Dive sites
What divers say
Atlantic biodiversity meets new volcanic geology. The 2011 eruption site is alive and well.
Good to know
Quiet island
El Hierro has fewer than 11,000 residents. Slow pace.