San Sebastián & Getaria · Spain · Wall · Reef
Astillero
A rock arch and lobster-filled caves on a deep north wall
A rocky slab at the back of Mount Ulia, running east-west like most slabs in the area. Its highest peaks reach 3–5 m and the north face drops to 30–32 m, cut by a small arch and a row of holes and short caves that shelter lobsters, spider crabs and conger eels. Gorgonians are plentiful, especially on the bottom, and nudibranchs live on the walls.
Also known as Shipyard.
Where it is and how deep
43.3370° N, 1.9363° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The boat anchors on the south side of the shoal at 10–12 m, in a V-shaped cut. The usual dive goes down the north face and heads east with the wall on the right. Divers stay close to the main wall, because the bottom keeps getting deeper further north. After a few metres a small rock arch at about 25 m can be swum under or over.
Further on come small holes and short caves, some with exits and some without, at 30–32 m. Lobsters hang on their roofs, and conger eels and spider crabs sit in the cracks along the way. Shells embedded in the wall near the second passage are believed to be First World War projectiles dropped by hand from aircraft. From there the route climbs the wall eastward to a deep cut that leads over to the south face.
On the south face a narrower, longer hole at about 23 m curves out of sight but can be crossed. The return runs west to the anchorage along the wall, or along the ridge for less depth, and with air to spare divers continue west where the shoal fades out. Octopus hide in the holes, gorgonians grow plentifully on the bottom, nudibranchs live on the walls and sunfish appear in season.
Marine life and season
- Nudibranchs
- Octopus & cuttlefish
- Mola mola
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows San Sebastián & Getaria: Getaria boats sail Tuesday to Sunday from June to September and only at weekends from October to May; August has the warmest water.
Know before you go
- The bottom deepens quickly away from the main wall, so divers keep the wall close to stay within planned depth.
- The holes and short caves at 23–32 m are overhead environments; some have no exit.
Dive videos
🐟 ¡EL PEZ BALLESTA QUE NO NOS DEJABA EN PAZ! 🌊🇪🇸 | Astillero | Donosti | 25-08-2020 🤿 · Producciones Maldisub on YouTube
Sources
- Buceo Donosti - Astillero — Buceo Donosti
- Scubago - Astillero — Scubago
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