Spearfishing in Spain
Spain's coast is three seas in one: the cold, upwelling Atlantic of Galicia and the Cantabrian coast, the warm, clear, all-but-tideless Mediterranean, and the subtropical Atlantic of the Canaries, with blue, clear water almost year-round. Each façade dives differently — but the calm-sea window rules them all.
In Spain spearfishing is breath-hold only (no scuba) and the licence is issued by each autonomous community, not the State, though it is valid in the exterior waters of the whole coast. This guide explains the national rules (RD 347/2011) and the regional ones, how sizes change by caladero, what the tides do on each coast and where it is banned — and links to the per-city sea forecast, refreshed every day.
Otvori vodeću lokaciju — Vigo →How to read the conditions
The deciding factors are the same across the country: swell (height and period — a low, long-period swell stirs the bottom more than a high, short one), wind and wind-sea (they ruffle the surface and drop visibility), water turbidity (it shuts a hunt down more than anything) and temperature. spearo.app folds them into a single go / marginal / no-go verdict per city, with the week ahead — but the golden rule doesn't change: a calm entry can break on the exit, always decide with a margin.
What does change from coast to coast is the tide. On the Cantabrian coast and the Northwest (Galicia) the tides are big, several metres: they move a lot of water, open and close rock access and set the best entry moment. In the Mediterranean (Catalonia, Levante, Murcia, the Balearics) the tide is minimal, only a few centimetres: it stops being a factor, and the solunar calendar and the light windows (dawn and dusk) take over. The Alborán Sea (Mediterranean Andalusia) has a small tide, a touch larger than the rest of the Mediterranean. In the Canaries the tide is moderate, with the great advantage of high visibility almost year-round. And in Galicia the summer upwelling brings up cold, rich water: it fills the sea with life, but can drop the temperature and visibility all at once.
The season, too, depends on the façade. In the north Atlantic (Galicia, the Cantabrian coast) the best time is summer, when the northwest storms ease and the water clears; in winter the sea shuts almost everything down. The Mediterranean (Catalonia, Levante, Murcia, the Balearics) gives the longest, steadiest season, with warm, clear water from late spring to autumn. The south (Andalusia) and the Canaries can be dived almost all year, always working the coast's wind-sheltered side.
Safety — especially solo
Always dive with a signalling buoy in view (it is mandatory and you must stay within 25 m of it), never hyperventilate before a dive (risk of shallow-water blackout) and stay within depths you control. Spearfishing in Spain is breath-hold only — no scuba, no compressed air — and you never carry the speargun loaded out of the water.
The golden rule of freediving is never dive alone — «one down, one watching». Solo, scout the exit from land before you get in, take long surface intervals, surface before the strong urge to breathe, leave the water with energy to spare, and tell someone your plan. This tool is a planner, not a safety guarantee — the call is yours, on the rock.
Gdje roniti, po regijama
Galicija
Cold Atlantic northwest, with big tides and sheltered rías between exposed capes. In summer the upwelling fills the water with life, though it can chill and cloud it suddenly; it's the best season, once the storms ease. Mind the Atlantic Islands National Park, where it's banned.
- Viveiro — Ría Viveira otvorena je gotovo ravno prema sjeveru, pa more od sjeverozapada do sjeveroistoka ulazi ravno unutra.
- A Coruña — A Coruña gleda na sjeverozapad, prema Atlantiku.
- Muros — Muros leži unutar rie okrenute jugozapadu, a ulaz čuva Monte Louro.
- Ribeira — Ribeira je vrh poluotoka Barbanza između dviju ria.
- Sanxenxo — Sanxenxo gleda na jugozapad, na Ría de Pontevedra.
- O Grove — O Grove je gotovo otok između otvorenog Atlantika i Ría de Arousa.
- Vigo — Pravi lov iz Viga je preko rie, na Costa da Vela nasuprot otocima Cíes: kameni strmci s kirnjom i šargom, potpuno otvoreni sjeverozapadnom moru.
- Baiona — Baiona spaja miran unutarnji zaljev s jednim od najtežih rtova Galicije.
Kantabrijska obala
Open, cold Cantabrian coast, with the biggest tides in Spain (several metres) that dictate rock access. Exposed to the north swell: it opens mainly in the summer calms, with green, life-rich water. Rock and reef for those who know the sea.
- Gijón — Gijón gleda ravno na sjever, na Kantabrijsko more, pa raspored određuju sjeverozapadno i sjeverno more.
- Llanes — Llanes je niz malih uvala na istočnoj obali Asturije, sve otvorene prema sjeverozapadu.
- Santander — Otvorena obala Santandera gleda na sjeverozapad, od Cabo Mayora do Liencresa.
- Castro Urdiales — Castro Urdiales otvoren je prema sjeveru.
- Getxo (Bilbao) — Getxo čuva ušće bilbaoskog estuarija i gleda na sjeverozapad.
- Bermeo — Bermeo je ribarski gradić uz Cabo Matxitxako, rt poznat po lubinu i šargu koji prima puno sjeverozapadno more.
- Lekeitio — U Lekeitiju se lovi oko otoka Garraitz, čija sjeverna strana daje strmac na 10-15 m s lubinom i šargom.
- Ondarroa — Ondarroa je prije svega radna luka, s velikom flotom kroz ušće Artibaija, a luka je zatvorena za podvodni ribolov.
- Mutriku — Mutriku su vrata fliša: ploče, jaruge i uvale istočno od mjesta, a zapadno sedam uvala Idurrepea, do kojih se dolazi samo plivajući ili stazom.
- Deba — Deba leži unutar biotopa Deba-Zumaia. Ribolov potpuno zatvara samo njegova rezervatska zona nad flišnom platformom; drugdje vrijede opća pravila. Pozicije…
- Zarautz — Zarautz gleda na sjever, između poluotoka Getaria i ušća Orije.
- Orio — Orio živi od svog estuarija, a prag i kanal put su za brodove i zatvoreni za podvodni ribolov.
- Hondarribia — Hondarribia leži na francuskoj granici, na ušću Bidasoe.
Andaluzija (Atlantik)
The Atlantic Gulf of Cádiz: here there is a tide, and sizes follow the Atlantic caladero (sea bass, 36 cm). Warmer water than the north, but often with some turbidity from the estuaries and the Atlantic itself. You dive looking for the small-sea days and cleared water.
- Algeciras — Zaljev Algecirasa radna je luka s tankerima, trajektima i rafinerijom, pa su obje pozicije na zapadnoj obali, daleko od prometa.
- Tarifa — Tarifa je mjesto gdje se Atlantik sastaje s tjesnacem, a vjetar je gospodar.
- Conil de la Frontera — Conil gleda na zapad-jugozapad, otvoren atlantskom ponienteu.
- Cádiz — Cádiz je grad na stijeni u Atlantiku, okrenut zapadu.
- Chipiona — Chipiona leži na ušću Guadalquivira, a rijeka često zamuti vodu; uobičajena vidljivost oko 5 m.
- Isla Cristina — Za Isla Cristina namjerno ne objavljujemo pozicije.
Andaluzija (Sredozemlje)
The Alborán Sea, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean: warm water with a small tide, a touch larger than the rest of the Mediterranean. Good visibility and rich life, with the great Cabo de Gata-Níjar reserve off-limits. A long season, nearly all year, working the wind-sheltered side of the coast.
- Almería — Zaljev Almeríje gleda na jug; zapadnjak radi na zapadnoj strani, istočnjak na istočnoj.
- Carboneras — Carboneras gleda na istok, na rubu rezervata Cabo de Gata.
- Adra — Adra leži na delti svoje rijeke, s Contraviesom iza leđa.
- Motril — Obala Motrila gleda na jug, između Guadalfea i Cabo Sacratifa.
- Almuñécar — Almuñécar se širi oko dva zaljeva. Cerro Gordo, zapadno od La Herradure, leži u zaštićenom području gdje podvodni ribolov nije dopušten. Punta de la Mona,…
- Nerja — Nerja leži uz litice Maroa, a uvale Maroa područje su zabrane ribolova.
- Málaga — Obala Málage uglavnom je pijesak i gusto izgrađena.
- Fuengirola — Fuengirola je pijesak, pera i kiosci na plaži od Torreblance do rijeke.
- Estepona — Estepona gleda na jugozapad prema Gibraltaru, pa je njezin vjetar poniente.
- Ceuta — Ceuta su istočna vrata Gibraltarskog tjesnaca: plimna struja obavija Punta Almina, a voda se promijeni unutar sat vremena.
- Melilla — Otvorena voda Melille je sjeverni niz litica; luka, njezini molovi i vojne plaže zatvoreni su.
Murcija
Warm, clear Mediterranean, all but tideless. Cabo de Palos and Cabo Tiñoso are legendary, but their marine reserves are closed to spearfishing — you dive outside them. Clear water almost year-round; light and wind rule, not the tide.
- Cartagena — Cartagena gleda na jug, na duboku vodu. Cabo Tiñoso poznat je teren, sa strmcima na kojima su kirnja, zubatac i šarag, ali je vrlo izložen južnom moru. El…
- Cabo de Palos — Cabo de Palos pokazuje na istok, a rezervat Islas Hormigas iza njega zabranjeno je područje.
- Águilas — Águilas je vulkanska obala okrenuta jugu-jugoistoku, s mnogo pozicija.
Levante
Mild, low-tide Mediterranean, with clear water much of the year and a more open, flatter coast than the Costa Brava. The Cap de Sant Antoni reserve (Xàbia–Dénia) is off-limits. As across the whole Mediterranean, the light windows and the day's wind matter more than the tide.
- Peñíscola — Peñíscola je kameni poluotok okrunjen dvorcem, okrenut istoku.
- Benicàssim — Benicàssim je gradić plaža, pijesak od Torre Sant Vicent prema jugozapadu.
- Burriana — Za Burrianu ne objavljujemo pozicije, i to je namjerno.
- Valencia — Obala Valencije dugačak je pijesak, pa se lovi na umjetnoj stijeni.
- Cullera — Rt Culleru stoji sam na pjeskovitoj obali, okrenut istoku.
- Dénia — Dénia je mjesto gdje pijesak prelazi u stijenu.
- Xàbia — Xàbia je najbogatija stijena ove obale: litice, uvale i rtovi okrenuti istoku.
- Benidorm — Zaljev Benidorma cijelo je ljeto pijesak i promet brodova, a strana Serra Gelada na istoku parkom je prirode čija morska pravila nisu provjerena, pa ondje ništa ne objavljujemo.
- Santa Pola — Rt Santa Pole okrenut je jugoistoku. Pod njegovim liticama Cala del Palmar daje kamene strmce sa šargom i oradom; Cala Galera miješa stijenu i pijesak, a…
Katalonija
Near-tideless Mediterranean: warm, clear water and a long season, from late spring to autumn. The Costa Brava offers rock and drop-offs for the hunter, but with reserves where it's banned — the Illes Medes, Ses Negres and parts of Cap de Creus. Light rules here (dawn and dusk), not the tide.
- Roses — Roses gleda na istok preko svog zaljeva, pa ga zatvara levant.
- L'Escala — L'Escala gleda na istok ispod Montgríja, tik uz granicu Medesa koju treba poštovati.
- Palamós — Palamós gleda na istok-jugoistok, a kvari ga istočni val.
- Tossa de Mar — Tossa de Mar okrenuta je jugoistoku, ispod zidina Vila Vella.
- Barcelona — Gradska obala Barcelone gleda na jugoistok i sastoji se od pijeska, lukobrana i luke, pa ova stranica nema vlastitih pozicija.
- Arenys de Mar — Za Arenys de Mar namjerno ne objavljujemo pozicije.
- Sitges — Sitges leži u podnožju masiva Garraf, okrenut jugu-jugoistoku.
- Tarragona — Između luke Tarragone i Cambrilsa obala je pijesak, pa je stijena na dva kraja.
- L'Ametlla de Mar — L'Ametlla de Mar niska je kamenita obala okrenuta istoku-jugoistoku, izrezana u male uvale.
Baleari
Mediterranean islands of blue, clear water, all but tideless — some of the best visibility in the country. Rock, drop-offs and plenty of fish; the grouper has its own size (45 cm, 50 in reserves) and mandatory marking. Spearfishing is banned in the marine reserves except in Badia de Palma, Migjorn and Llevant de Mallorca (with a licence).
- Palma — Zaljev Palme okrenut je jugu-jugozapadu.
- Alcúdia — Zaljev Alcúdije gleda na sjeveroistok, otvoren gregalu i tramontani.
- Maó — Maó gleda na istok iz svoje duge luke. S'Algar i Cala Rafalet daju kamene strmce s posidonijom, šargom i zubatcem; Illa de l'Aire bogata je, ali izložena,…
- Ciutadella — Ciutadella gleda na zapad, gdje je Menorca pravi kamen: okomiti marès, špilje i nagli strmci.
- Sant Antoni (Ibiza) — Sant Antoni gleda na zapad preko svog zaljeva.
- Formentera — Južna obala Formentere okrenuta je otvorenom moru.
Kanari
Subtropical Atlantic: blue, warm, clear water almost all year, with a moderate tide. Volcanic rock dropping fast to blue depths and its own species (parrotfish, red porgy). A special regime (Decreto 182/2004): a «2nd-class» licence and several closed reserves, such as La Restinga or La Graciosa.
- Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) — Las Palmas gleda na sjeverozapad s La Islete.
- Maspalomas — Za Maspalomas ne objavljujemo pozicije. Na Kanarima je podvodni ribolov zakonit samo unutar službenih zona acotada i samo danju, a južna strana Gran…
- Los Llanos de Aridane — Za dolinu Aridane ne objavljujemo pozicije.
- South Tenerife (Los Cristianos) — Južni Tenerife okrenut je jugu-jugozapadu.
- Puerto de la Cruz — Za Puerto de la Cruz ne objavljujemo pozicije: kanarska pravila ograničavaju podvodni ribolov na službene zone acotada, a nijedna nije ispred grada.
- Playa Blanca (Lanzarote) — Playa Blanca gleda na jug, na južnom vrhu Lanzarotea.
- Arrecife — Za Arrecife ne objavljujemo pozicije. Na Kanarima je podvodni ribolov dopušten samo u službenim zonama acotada, a uz grad nema nijedne provjerene. Marina,…
- Corralejo (Fuerteventura) — Corralejo gleda na sjever prema otoku Lobos.
Česta pitanja
Pravila vrijede za 2026. — prije izlaska uvijek provjeri kod svoje autonomne zajednice. Pravna osnova: RD 347/2011 (BOE) i Uredba EU 2019/1241 na Sredozemlju; svaka autonomna zajednica ima vlastita pravila (dozvola, veličine, lovostaji).
Do I need a licence to spearfish in Spain?
Yes. A spearfishing licence is mandatory and your autonomous community issues it (not the State), though it is valid in the exterior waters of the whole coast. Each community has its own procedure and name (for example «Clase C» in Galicia or «2nd-class» in the Canaries) and its own validity (1, 3 years…). Some recognise others' licences — Cantabria, for instance, gives «full validity» to those issued by the State or other communities. Spearfishing is always breath-hold (scuba is banned) and the catch may not be sold.
Službeni izvor ↗Can I dive at night or with scuba?
No to both. Spearfishing is only allowed in daylight: it is banned from sunset to sunrise (RD 347/2011, art. 16.d). And it is breath-hold only — using a tank or compressed air (scuba) is banned (art. 3). You also may not keep the speargun loaded out of the water (art. 16.a) and must stay at least 300 m from professional fishing boats that are working (art. 12.b).
Službeni izvor ↗What's the minimum size for sea bass? Why does it change by area?
Because in Spain sizes go by «caladero» (fishing zone), not by a single national number. Sea bass is the best example: 42 cm on the Cantabrian coast and Northwest (recreational size, RD 347/2011), 36 cm in the Gulf of Cádiz, 25 cm in the Mediterranean (EU Regulation 2019/1241) and 22 cm in the Canaries. The same goes for other species (gilthead bream, 20 cm in the Mediterranean; grouper, 45 cm). Always check your caladero's table — undersized fish go back, and only the species in Annex I of RD 347/2011 may be taken.
Službeni izvor ↗Where is spearfishing banned?
In marine reserves and protected zones (without a special permit), in ports and at busy beaches and bathing areas. There are fishing reserves where it is closed — for example the Atlantic Islands (Galicia), the Illes Medes and Cap de Creus (Catalonia), Cap de Sant Antoni (Levante), Cabo de Palos–Islas Hormigas and Cabo Tiñoso (Murcia), Cabo de Gata-Níjar and Alborán (Andalusia), and several reserves in the Balearics and Canaries (La Restinga, La Graciosa…). There are also Natura 2000 areas with restrictions. Always check the no-take zones on the map and confirm with the autonomous community before you go.
Do I need insurance for the licence?
In most communities, yes: the spearfishing licence requires a medical fitness certificate for freediving and accident + civil-liability insurance, which the federative licence usually includes. It is mandatory in the Basque Country, Murcia, Asturias and Galicia; the federative licence covers it in Galicia, the Balearics and Cantabria. The Canaries do not require the insurance but do require a medical fitness certificate (freediving / «a pulmón libre»); Andalusia likewise requires no insurance and a responsible health declaration is enough. Confirm the requirement with your autonomous community.
From what age can I get the licence?
Generally from age 16, but each autonomous community sets it and there are extremes: Andalusia lowers it to 14 (spearfishing modality / class 4) while Murcia raises it to 18. Those under the minimum age may only fish in surface modalities accompanied by a licensed adult.
How do the tides work in the Mediterranean?
Very little. The Mediterranean is an all-but-tideless sea (only a few centimetres), so it stops being a factor: instead of the tide, the solunar calendar and above all the light windows take over — dawn and dusk, when the fish move. It is the opposite of the Cantabrian coast and Galicia, where the tides are big (several metres) and set rock access and the best entry moment. The Canaries have a moderate tide, and Alborán (Mediterranean Andalusia) a touch more than the rest of the Mediterranean.