The Mediterranean Diving Show closes its 26th edition, consolidating its position as the major meeting point for the diving community
The Mediterranean Diving Show (MDS) closed its doors today at Fira de Cornellà after three intense days dedicated to the world of diving and underwater activities. From March 13 to 15, the fair once again brought together professionals, companies, enthusiasts and families, reaffirming its 26 editions as the benchmark event for the sector.
The figures speak for themselves: the show featured 147 stands and the participation of exhibitors from 22 countries, representing 24% of the total exhibitors at the fair, along with a wide representation from across Spain and the island territories. This year, 28 new exhibitors joined the event — 19% of the total — confirming the exhibition’s capacity for renewal and growth.
The meeting also highlighted the strong health of the diving sector. Within the framework of the MDS Professional Technical Conferences, the Direcció General de Política Marítima i Pesca Sostenible of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of the Generalitat de Catalunya, in collaboration with the Centre de Recerca en Economia i Desenvolupament Agroalimentari (CREDA) UPC‑IRTA, presented the study “Socioeconomic dimension of the recreational maritime activities sector in Catalonia and recreational diving in particular.” According to the report, diving centers in Catalonia generate €35.8 million in turnover, with €18 million in gross added value and more than 600 employees on average — a figure that can reach nearly 1,000 workers during peak activity periods.
Over three days, the exhibition showcased the latest innovations in diving equipment, technology and training for athletes, professionals and enthusiasts alike. Visitors were able to discover wetsuits, fins, regulators, lighting systems, underwater recording equipment, waterproof housings and underwater robotics, as well as training opportunities, certifications, specialized insurance and more extreme experiences such as ice diving.
The event also received support from institutions and organizations within the sector such as the Federació Catalana d’Activitats Subaquàtiques, Eivissa Turisme, the Grupo Especial de Actividades Subacuáticas (GEAS) of the Guardia Civil, the aquatic unit of the Mossos d’Esquadra, Cruz Roja Maritime Rescue, and various specialized entities such as the Club d’Immersió Biologia of the Universitat de Barcelona Faculty of Biology, the Institut d’Estudis Mèdics, and the HDSES – Asociación de Historia del Buceo.
The fair also highlighted the strong link between tourism and underwater activities. In this regard, Menorca Slow Diving participated in the Mediterranean Diving Show 2026 together with the Fundació Foment del Turisme de Menorca to promote Menorca as a diving destination and to showcase a style of diving closely tied to the island: calm, guided, in small groups and respectful of the marine environment. The initiative, made up of 10 diving centers on the island, also highlights the natural qualities that make the destination unique for this activity, such as water visibility that can reach 30 meters, the absence of currents, more than 50 dive sites and two marine reserves, on an island that is the largest Marine Biosphere Reserve in the Mediterranean.
The exhibition also brought together specialized travel agencies and diving centers that presented some of the most spectacular destinations in the world for this activity: the Red Sea, Maldives, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Oman, Mexico, Mozambique, the Galápagos Islands and Cocos Island, as well as national destinations such as the Mediterranean coastline and the archipelagos of the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.
One of the busiest areas was once again the activities pool, where children were able to take their first underwater experiences accompanied and guided by the Club Esportiu Mosaik Sub. Try-dives and freediving workshops were also organized thanks to the collaboration of the La Caretta and the Federació Catalana d’Activitats Subaquàtiques.
At the same time, the Professional Technical Conferences hosted numerous presentations by entities, organizations and exhibitors that encouraged reflection on technical aspects of diving, conservation of the underwater environment and cave diving, while also introducing destinations such as Baja California Sur and the Maldives to the public.
The Mediterranean Diving Show also hosted the Member Forum of Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and this Sunday featured the presentation of the new book “Tiburones” by Dr. Claudio Barría and Dr. Anabel Colmenero, as well as the meeting of the Federació Catalana d’Activitats Subaquàtiques, which analyzed the federation’s new developments and challenges for 2026.
Regarding visitor profiles, Friday saw a greater presence of industry professionals, while Saturday and Sunday had a more family-oriented atmosphere, with enthusiasts and practitioners approaching the world of diving.
After three days of activity, the Mediterranean Diving Show once again concludes reaffirming its role as an international meeting point for the sector. Twenty-six editions after its launch, the event continues to be a benchmark for the diving and underwater activities community.
March 15, 2026 — Cornellà de Llobregat.
