El Hierro is the perfect island for diving romantically with your other half… and even getting engaged under its magical waters.
Saying “I do” seems like a simple gesture, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes those two words together in assent can signify many more things. But other times, you don’t even have to pronounce them - it’s enough to nod your head, or shoot a glance, or give a hug: the acceptance is perceived immediately. But what is this all about? Well firstly, it’s about the fact that of all the things one can say Yes to, one of the most exciting is a marriage proposal; and secondly, that lately, the most romantic way of making such a proposal is underwater.
Would you be up for it?
Well, if you really are looking for the perfect way to propose, you should also be aware that the Canary Islands are an authentic diving paradise. Which is why it’s no wonder that there are numerous diving schools and spots around the islands. The quality of the Canarian waters is internationally recognised, for their transparency, which enables visibility of up to 30 metres, as well as their perfect temperature at any time of year, and because they are where all kinds of species have their habitat. A seabed with a wealth of biodiversity characterised by volcanic relief with an abundance of caves, twists and turns and reefs, and great depths, in some cases of up to one thousand metres. This wealth determined the declaration of three Marine Reserves in the Canarian archipelago: the island of La Palma, the area around La Graciosa and islets to the north of Lanzarote and the Point of La Restinga-Mar de Las Calmas in El Hierro.
Ask in La Restinga
If you would like to find diving centres to help you create that very special moment, the place to go is La Restinga, at the southern tip of El Hierro, where you will have the chance to dive and, on a tongue of underwater lava, contemplate extremely varied relief: cliff, reef crests, sandy platforms, caves. In these depths, we may run into large groupers, glimpse imposing chuchos (common stingrays) gliding over the sand and follow graceful Atlantic trumpetfish on their search for small prey.
The anchoring point is just two minutes away from the port by boat. After diving down to around 11 metres, we can choose between several high-quality routes: El Arco, El Veril and Los Cañones. During the day one can see burrfish, a host of small fish typical of the area such as pejeverdes (ornate wrasses), fulas (Atlantic chromis), alfonsitos (Mediterranean cardinal fish) and dreamfish and, with luck, the odd manta ray. At night, you should look out for chuchos (common stingrays) and lobsters. We may well be in the most original place for a proposal. On leaving the water as a newly engaged couple, you will be able to treat yourselves to a further celebration in one of the numerous restaurants in La Restinga and try some freshly caught local fish, such as viejas (European parrotfish), cabrillas (combers) or Mediterranean morays, served with the typical papas arrugadas (wrinkly potatoes) and the delicious mojo canario (Canarian sauce made with marinated chillies). Paradise for the eyes, paradise for the palate and paradise for the heart.
