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L'Illa Grossa and volcanic sea stacks of the Columbretes rising from open blue sea — Islas Columbretes

Islas Columbretes · Spain · Reef

L'Illa Grossa

A buoy descent into the crater, with big groupers and morays

Area photo: JavierValencia2005 · CC BY-SA 4.0

L'Illa Grossa is the main island of the Columbretes, dived from a buoy in its crater. The descent follows the buoy line to a small sand patch ringed by large rock formations, and the route leaves the crater toward the north-west at 24 to 30 m. Large moray eels, big groupers and barracuda are the regulars.

Also known as Illa Grossa, Isla Grossa, Columbrete Grande, Isla Columbretes.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of L'Illa Grossa: typical dive to 30 m (to 100 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit30 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

39.8981° N, 0.6853° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.

The dive

The dive begins by descending the buoy line to 16 m, where a small sand patch is ringed by several rock formations. Divers enter and leave the water by the buoy assigned to the boat.

As the depth reaches 24 to 30 m, the route starts to leave the crater heading north-west, and at a certain point divers must bear east. Moray eels of good size, very large groupers, barracuda, nudibranchs and octopus are the usual sights on this dive.

Marine life and season

  • Groupers
  • Barracuda
  • Nudibranchs
  • Octopus & cuttlefish
Month-by-month season rating for L'Illa Grossa
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Off-seasonOff-seasonFairGoodGoodPrimePrimePrimePrimeGoodFairOff-season

Season follows Islas Columbretes: Operators run May–Oct; the three-hour crossing is impractical in winter and the reserve issues a capped number of daily permits.

Questions divers ask

How do divers start the dive at L'Illa Grossa?+

Divers descend the buoy assigned to the boat down to 16 m, where a small sand patch ringed by rock formations marks the start of the route.

Sources

  1. Inmersion en Isla Columbretes — Mallorca Buceo
  2. Islas Columbretes — Wikipedia

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