San Sebastián & Getaria · Spain · Reef · Sand slope
Cala Illurgieta
Mosaic rays in a sheltered cove used for training
A rocky cove on the slopes of Mount Ulia at Mendiola, west of the silver lighthouse, closed by slabs that form a kind of pool. It is well protected from swell, which makes it the usual site for courses and try-dives, and it is one of the few dives in the area with mosaic rays. The slab runs from 8–10 m down to sand at 22–24 m.
Also known as Illurgieta Cove, Rocks of Mendiola, Cala Murgita.
Where it is and how deep
43.3342° N, 1.9489° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The boat anchors at about 10 m on rock and sand on the south side of the main slab, and the dive follows a rectangle. Divers head north to the main slab and go down the sand channel between its south face and the next rocks, heading east with the wall on the left. Conger eels and octopus hide in the holes of the slab, with electric rays and sole on the sand.
The route deepens gradually until the wall disappears into a sandy beach at about 18–20 m. Further east along the sand, mosaic rays rest on loose rocks at the end of the slab. From there the route turns north to a series of cut slabs at about 22–24 m, where mosaic rays, sole and cuttlefish lie on the sand and nudibranchs, flatworms and starfish cover the rocks.
The return heads south to the main slab and west along its north side or its crest, to where the beach ends and the boulders begin, then south to the anchorage. Mullet move among the red algae. The cove is very protected from swell because its slabs close it off like a pool.
Marine life and season
- Octopus & cuttlefish
- Nudibranchs
| 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.
Sources
- Buceo Donosti - Cala Illurgieta — Buceo Donosti
- Scubago - Cala Illurgieta — Scubago
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