A pioneering project called Underwater Gardens is set to bring together tourism and marine science through diving and research in the south of Tenerife. Initially proposed for Barcelona, the project has now found a new home in Guía de Isora, where it will feature a complex with access to artificial reefs along the coast.
The initiative, spearheaded by a Catalan company, aims to blend environmental regeneration with tourism by creating a space that promotes both ecological preservation and public engagement through activities like diving.
In February 2022, the Tenerife Cabildo, declared the project of insular interest, moving it forward for further development. This year, the project was delegated to the President of the Cabildo for expedited processing, alongside three other strategic projects.
The Underwater Gardens project includes two main components: Garden Gate on land and Sea Garden underwater. The Sea Garden will host "regenerative underwater gardens" and a docking area, while the Garden Gate on land will house leisure and educational facilities, including gardens, restaurants, parking, and a photovoltaic pergola.
The project’s draft emphasises its focus on the "environmental regeneration of coastal and marine areas, and the knowledge, study, monitoring, research, and protection of biodiversity and ecosystems." It also addresses the impacts of and adaptation to climate change, combining these goals with public outreach through entertainment, leisure, culture, and maritime sports like diving.
A key element of the project is the creation of artificial reefs designed to foster ecotourism linked to diving. According to the project's website, these "underwater gardens" are architecturally designed by "eco-sensitive divers" with diving trails suited to different skill levels. The design protocol allows for the creation of healthy reefs tailored to the local environment, promoting the growth of marine flora and fauna in an ideal setting for natural regeneration, supported by human intervention.
The land-based portion of the complex will include a Dive Hub, where visitors can take exclusive courses at the diving school and enjoy various pools and activities tailored to their skill levels. Linked to the Dive Hub is the Biolab, a "scientific laboratory and marine restoration research centre."
The Biolab will host research projects and studies on marine biodiversity management, knowledge generation, and its dissemination. It will also focus on developing marine gardening technologies, with outdoor nurseries and a Mesocosmos to support the Sea Garden.
The complex will be located in Playa Punta Blanca, within the municipality of Guía de Isora. The selected site was previously agricultural land, primarily used for banana farming, but is now abandoned. The area currently contains several derelict buildings.
The project is currently undergoing an environmental assessment, involving both the Tenerife Cabildo and the Coastal Authority, due to its location within the public maritime-terrestrial domain.
