Costa Blanca · Spain · Wall · Reef
El Peñón
One-way along the Peñón to 27 m, ending in the arches of Los Arcos
Area photo: diego_cue · CC BY-SA 3.0
The dive from the middle of the Peñón de Ifach at Calpe, with a maximum depth of 27 m and a rock face full of cracks and holes. It is known for its scorpionfish and tricolour doris nudibranchs, with octopus, moray and conger eels in the crevices, and it can be run as a one-way dive along the rock that ends at Los Arcos.
Where it is and how deep
38.6336° N, 0.0818° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
El Peñón starts from the middle of the rock, and the dive takes you down to a maximum of 27 m. It can be done as a one-way, following the rock in a single direction rather than out and back; run that way it ends in Los Arcos, the boulder arches further along the base of the Peñón, where the maximum depth is 15 m and the dive finishes in shallower water.
This place is known for its scorpionfish and its tricolour doris nudibranchs, so the pace is slow and close to the rock. Between the cracks and holes look for octopus, moray eels and conger eels. As the one-way route comes towards Los Arcos the depth eases off from the 27 m maximum towards the 15 m of the arches, and the arches make the natural end of the dive.
Marine life and season
- Nudibranchs
- Octopus & cuttlefish
| 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 Costa Blanca: Dived all year, but the water sits near 14 °C from January to March and the season is treated as starting in spring; peak-season boat traffic closes some cave surfacing.
Questions divers ask
How deep is the El Peñón dive?+
The site from the middle of the Peñón reaches a maximum depth of 27 m, with the shallower end of a one-way dive finishing in Los Arcos.
What is El Peñón known for?+
Scorpionfish and tricolour doris nudibranchs on the rock, with octopus, moray eels and conger eels in the cracks and holes.
Sources
- El Peñón - Scubago — Scubago
More dive sites in Costa Blanca
Cave & cavern
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Cave & cavern
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Reef
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Reef
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Wall
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Two faces of a rocky islet: boulders to 26 m, Posidonia shallows and barracuda shoals
Reef
A maze of fallen-boulder arches at 15 m, crusted with sponges and anemones
Similar dives elsewhere
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