Reefwander
Pre-Cambrian schist islets of Illa Encalladora in bright blue sea off Cap de Creus

Cap de Creus · Spain · Reef · Sand slope

Bau de Cap Trencat

Sand, coralligenous and rock between 12 and 30 m

Area photo: Alan Mattingly · CC0

A rock rising 200 m off the coast in the Cala Montjoi area, dived between 12 and 30 m where the ground alternates between sand, coralligenous crust and bare rock. That mix is what draws the fish list, from grouper and sea bass on the structure to skate and scorpionfish on the sand, with barracuda passing the outer face.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Bau de Cap Trencat: typical dive 12–30 m (40–100 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit12 m30 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

42.2357° N, 3.2274° EPublished position for this site.

The dive

The rock stands 200 m off the coast in the Cala Montjoi area, close enough that the run out takes minutes. Depth ranges from 12 m at the top to 30 m at the bottom, and the scenery alternates as you descend, from bare rock into coralligenous crust and then out onto sandy seabed, which gives the dive three distinct kinds of ground to search rather than one repeated texture.

Each of those grounds has its own residents. Grouper, sar and sea bass work the rock and the coralligenous edges, castagnole and denti hold in the water above, and barracuda pass the outer face. Down on the sand there are skate lying flat, scorpionfish sitting still enough to be missed, lobster under the rock margins and dogfish eggs anchored where the two grounds meet, so it is worth finishing the dive slowly along that boundary.

Marine life and season

  • Groupers
  • Barracuda
  • Macro critters
Month-by-month season rating for Bau de Cap Trencat
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FairFairFairGoodGoodPrimePrimePrimePrimeGoodFairFair

Season follows Cap de Creus: Jun–Sep is warmest and calmest; the Tramuntana blows hardest in winter and spring and regularly cancels boats for days at a time.

Sources

  1. Bau de Cap Trencat — Scubago (SSI MyDiveGuide) — Scubago / SSI

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Cave & cavern

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