Gran Canaria vs La Palma — Dive Destination Comparison
Gran Canaria (Spain) scores 68.8/100 vs La Palma's 68.7/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Gran Canaria for wreck diving with 12–30m visibility. Choose La Palma for reef diving at ~$80/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Gran Canaria | La Palma |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 68.8/100 | 68.7/100 |
| Country | Spain | Spain |
| Visibility | 12--30m | 15--40m |
| Water temp | 18--24 C | 18--24 C |
| Max depth | 40m | 40m |
| Current | mild | mild |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $75 | $80 |
| Budget tier | budget | budget |
| Best months | April, May, June | April, May, June |
| Dive types | wreck, reef, cave, shore | reef, wall, cave, volcanic |
| Min certification | Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | angel shark, butterfly ray, cuttlefish | Atlantic manta ray, angel shark, barracuda |
| Google rating | 4.6 (420 reviews) | 4.6 (120 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Gran Canaria when...
- + Budget-conscious divers — avg $75/dive
- + Newly certified divers building confidence
- + Wreck diving enthusiasts
- + Couples where one partner doesn't dive
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 18°C
Choose La Palma when...
- + Budget-conscious divers — avg $80/dive
- + Newly certified divers building confidence
- + Groups seeking 18+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 18°C
Bottom line
Gran Canaria wins on overall score (68.8 vs 68.7), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Gran Canaria is more affordable ($75 vs $80/dive). La Palma has better peak visibility (40m vs 30m).