
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
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
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair |
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
- Bau de Cap Trencat — Scubago (SSI MyDiveGuide) — Scubago / SSI
More dive sites in Cap de Creus
Reef
A giant anchor and its chain links lying at 21 m
Seamount
The park's only offshore seamount, 8 m to 60 m
Circle the reef from 18 to 32 m, with the Phedon's remains on it
Seamount
Seamount rock from 5 m to past 40 m, gorgonians throughout
A marine-reserve cove under the Cap de Creus lighthouse
The park's best-known walls, and a cave with an air pocket
Reef
A 40 m canyon at the end of a 5 to 20 m drop-off
Pinnacle
Maze-like rock stacks full of red sea fans to 40 m
Similar dives elsewhere
Resident groupers, morays and large octopus below a prince's old residence
Sand and rock from the surface to 30 m in clear water
Gorgonians on the vertical north wall of a submerged island
A cove sheltered from wind and swell, 10 m to 30 m





