Mallorca · Spain · Cave & cavern
Cova de Jeronimo
Surface inside a stalactite-hung air chamber reached through a gallery
Area photo: Bengt Nyman · CC BY 3.0
A cavern dive where a large underwater gallery leads into a massive air pocket inside the rock, big enough to surface in and breathe, with stalactites hanging from the ceiling above the water. The site maximum is 30 m and Scuba Mallorca rates it intermediate, for Open Water divers and up; the dark zones hold slipper lobsters, cave shrimp, conger eels and nudibranchs.
Also known as Jeronimo Cave.
Where it is and how deep
39.9451° N, 3.2029° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
Jeronimo is a boat dive, and the way in is a large underwater gallery in the rock. You descend from the boat to the entrance, switch torches on and follow the gallery inward as the daylight behind you fades. The site maximum is listed at 30 m, but the cave itself is the goal rather than the depth, and the route out is the route you came in by.
The gallery opens into a massive inner chamber with an air pocket you can surface in and breathe. Above the water the ceiling is hung with stalactites; you surface, look up, and then drop back under and retrace the route out. The shadowed zones on the way are where to look: slipper lobsters, cave shrimp, conger eels and nudibranchs live in the dark, and a torch beam picks them out against the rock. Back at the entrance, ascend the rock outside to the boat.
Marine life and season
- Macro critters
- Nudibranchs
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Mallorca: May to October is the season, with boats out daily; the Alcúdia centre dives all year. Water peaks at 26°C in August and falls to 14–15°C in February and March; winter is wet and windy.
Know before you go
- Overhead environment: the gallery leads into an enclosed chamber; carry a torch, stay with the guide and retrace the same route out.
Questions divers ask
Can you surface inside Cova de Jeronimo?+
Yes. The underwater gallery leads to a massive inner air pocket that is breathable, with stalactites on the ceiling; you surface there and then dive back out the way you came.
How deep is Cova de Jeronimo?+
Scuba Mallorca lists a maximum of 30 m and rates the site intermediate, suitable for Open Water and experienced divers.
Sources
- Cova de Jeronimo — Scubago
- The Dives — Scuba Mallorca
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