Cave diving in Andalusia
Deep karst springs and sumps in the Sierra de las Nieves (Zarzalones to -92 m, Minilla, Cinojal) — mostly permit-bound exploration dives — plus sea caves near La Herradura, most of which may no longer be entered inside the protected Maro-Cerro Gordo area.
6 sites · down to 92 m · 1 suitable for an intro team
All 6 sites
| Site | Max depth | Type | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfaguara del Cinojal | 46 m | Sidemount | Full cave |
| Cueva del Gato | – | Not known yet | Full cave |
| Cueva del Jarro | 30 m | Backmount | Open water / no overhead |
| Cueva del Sifón (Cerro Gordo)⛔ Closed to divers | 17 m | Backmount | Cavern |
| Surgencia de la Minilla | 23 m | Sidemount | Full cave |
| Surgencia de Zarzalones | 92 m | Not known yet | Full cave |
Certification requirements, configurations and trimix depths are estimates for planning. Always check them locally and dive within your training.
Practical info: rules, fills and emergency numbers
Emergencies
- 112. DAN Europe: +39 06 4211 5685. Hyperbaric chamber (24/7): Hospital Vithas Xanit Internacional, Avenida de los Argonautas s/n, 29630 Benalmádena — emergency +34 900 407 407, general +34 618 800 116.
Access and rules
- Sierra de las Nieves (Zarzalones, Minilla, Cinojal): national park since 2021. For cavities in the natural park, request authorization from the Junta de Andalucía (Delegación Territorial Málaga) at least 15 working days ahead; max. 10 people per group and 1 group per cavity per day (BOJA 94, 19-05-2021). How this applies to sump diving: ask the park or Yunquera town hall.
- Cueva del Gato (Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, Monumento Natural): entering the cave only with authorization from the Junta de Andalucía.
- Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo (Nerja–La Herradura): scuba diving only with authorization from the environment ministry (arranged by the dive centre); no entering caves under a roof; moor only on the buoys; no diving in the reserve zone.
Gas and fills
- Fills: no fill station known in the Sierra de las Nieves; technical centres in Málaga (IANTD) and La Herradura (trimix, CCR) — ask about fills in advance.
Water and season
- Season: the Sierra de las Nieves springs run hard after winter rain; sump diving happens mainly in summer. Water temperature and visibility in the sumps are not published.
- Altitude: Minilla ~725 m, Cinojal ~650 m, Zarzalones ~450 m — set your computer for altitude where needed.
Rest day
- Rest day: swim in the Charco Frío at the Cueva del Gato (summer, paid); canyon descent in the lower Zarzalones (ask about permits).
Plan a cave diving trip to Andalusia
Enter your team, with certifications, gas and configurations, and see right away which caves fit. With driving times from your stay, fill stations and an AI instructor who thinks along.
Compiled from web research (reports and surveys of Andalusian caving clubs, Junta de Andalucía/BOJA, BOE, dive centres, Yunquera town hall, news; Sept 2026). Pins converted from UTM coordinates in club reports (datum not stated); ~ = estimate. Rules change — check locally.