The colourful seabed of El Hierro conceals unique, unrepeatable images. To ensure they don’t get lost among the waves, year after year various figures from the world of underwater photography flock to the island, diving into the warm waters of El Hierro with the sole aim of capturing the perfect shot.
The 750 hectares of the Mar de Las Calmas Marine Reserve are not only the habitat of countless species. They are also home to Open Fotosub El Hierro, an international photography competition that gathers some of the best specialists in this field under the water.
The magnificent diving conditions in the area allow professionals to open a window onto the rugged volcanic seabed surrounding the south-western tip of the island and show, up close, the fascinating species that inhabit it. An immersive experience that allows you to wander through forests of seaweed, visit protected endemic species such as the tamboril espinoso (a fish), or swim alongside sea turtles and dolphins without having to don a wetsuit.
A competition that has made a deep impression
Open Fotosub El Hierro came into being in 1996 as a result of the deep love and respect the people of El Hierro feel for their maritime heritage. It was the fishermen of La Restinga who proudly transported the first photographers in their traditional boats to the island’s Marine Reserve, which had just been created for the sustainable development of fishing in the area.
El Hierro and photography have come together again year after year since then, in an unmissable event that could only be paused by the eruption of a marine volcano and the 2020 pandemic. A perfect symbiosis which, over the years, has grown stronger and stronger, establishing its
A sea of options for taking part
Open Fotosub El Hierro is not only enjoyed through spectacular snapshots. The underwater photography competition always has a place that allows anonymous divers to demonstrate their skills. There is also a category focussed on freediving photography, a contest for young divers and a competition open to all visitors who dive on the island: the Open Fotosub Online El Hierro.
Professional dives
Although Open Fotosub El Hierro only lasts a week, it is possible to relive it all year round by diving in the same spots as the professionals. With or without a camera, the waters remain just as calm, warm and clear, with visibility often exceeding 30 metres.
One favourite spot with photographers is El Bajón, an underwater mountain visited by Bentfin devil rays and placid whale sharks. But it is by no means the only one. Very nearby is Baja Bocarones, an excellent dive site for floating among schools of fish or getting up close to the Canary slipper lobster.
Less experienced divers or those looking for a different kind of adventure can find the perfect experience at La Restinga Pier, an area protected from the wind that teems with life, where daytime and night dives are available for all levels.