Mallorca — Palma & the Southwest, the area around Cala Figuera

Mallorca · Spain · Wall · Reef

Cala Figuera

Overhangs and rock walls to 20 m, good for finding octopus

Area photo: Rafael Ortega Díaz · CC BY-SA 4.0

Cala Figuera is an easy and varied cove dive in the southwest of Mallorca with a maximum depth of 20 m. Overhanging rocks, rock formations and walls carry the marine life, and the rocky landscape makes it a good site for finding octopus. It is well suited to beginners, and the light under the rock is described as especially nice in midsummer.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Cala Figuera: typical dive to 20 m (to 66 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit20 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

39.4611° N, 2.5232° EPublished position for this site.

The dive

The dive works along the rock of the cove and never goes deeper than 20 m. The structure is what makes it: overhanging rocks, rock formations and walls follow one another, so the route runs along the base of the walls and under the overhangs, and the variety of the rock is why the site is described as easy and varied rather than a plain reef. Beginners can take it at their own pace, with the shallow maximum leaving plenty of time.

The rock is rich in marine life, and the rocky landscape is the reason the site is good for octopus: check the holes and the shaded spaces under the overhangs as you go, because that is where they sit. The light is described as especially nice in midsummer, when the sun is high enough to reach under the overhangs, and the shallow maximum means the last stretch of rock can be taken slowly before the ascent.

Marine life and season

  • Octopus & cuttlefish
Month-by-month season rating for Cala Figuera
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Off-seasonOff-seasonFairGoodGoodPrimePrimePrimePrimeGoodFairOff-season

Season follows Mallorca: One Santa Ponça centre runs daily April–October and weekends only Nov–Mar; May–Sep brings the calmest seas and warmest water, with leisure-boat traffic in the bays at the height of summer.

Questions divers ask

How deep is Cala Figuera?+

The maximum depth is 20 m, and the site is an easy and varied dive along overhangs, rock formations and walls that is well suited to beginners.

What will I see at Cala Figuera?+

Octopus are the draw, because the rocky landscape gives them plenty of holes, and the overhangs and walls are rich in marine life generally.

Sources

  1. Cala Figuera — Scubago

More dive sites in Mallorca

Rocky walls, sand and small caves in 5 to 20 m of calm water

5–20 mbeginner

Cave & cavern

A 30 m tunnel through the cliffs from 6 m, plus a cavern with an air bubble

6–18 mintermediate

A plateau below the lighthouse with barracuda, groupers and cuttlefish

to 20 mbeginner

Rocky plateaus and small caves stepping from 8 m down to 30 m

8–30 mintermediate

A small boat at 18 m with mast and boxes intact, two more hulls at 27 m

18–27 m · max 32 mintermediate

Cave & cavern

Cavern entrances at 8 m, with shrimps, lobsters and snake starfish inside

8–16 madvanced

Tunnels through the rock, a small wreck and a plane wing between 6 and 35 m

6–35 madvanced

Four of Mallorca's largest wrecks together at 28 m off Palma harbour

to 28 madvanced

Similar dives elsewhere

Wall

Es Banc

Ibiza & Formentera · Spain

A reserve wall to 20 m with a small arch full of life

to 20 mbeginner

Wall

Punta del Vaporcillo

La Herradura · Spain

An orange Astroides wall with grottos, 6 to 21 m

6–21 mbeginner

Wall

Parata di Punta Madonna

Ponza & the Pontine Islands · Italy

A sheltered 17 m wall behind Punta Madonna used as a natural pool for courses

to 17 mbeginner

Wall

Pedra de Déu

Medes Islands · Spain

Vertical gorgonian walls dropping to 42 m off Meda Gran

5–20 m · max 42 mintermediate