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A low green headland of flat rock ledges reaches into blue sea beside a sandy cove with breaking waves — Cabo Menor, Santander & Isla de Mouro

Santander & Isla de Mouro · Spain · Reef

Cabo Menor

Stepped rock terraces carpeted in red algae off the tip of the cape

Photo: Jesús Gómez Fernández · CC BY-SA 4.0

Cabo Menor is a headland on the north side of Santander, and its dive drops from the very tip of the cape onto a series of rock terraces under red algae. Waves breaking over the slabs keep the water well oxygenated, which is why the life on the steps is usually rich, though strong currents can run off the point.

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Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Cabo Menor: typical dive to 22 m (to 72 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit22 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

43.4855° N, 3.7812° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.

The dive

Divers go down at the tip of the cape and head north over flat rock slabs covered in red algae. The slabs form stepped terraces, and the bottom of sand and rock reaches 22 m. With some sea running, waves break over the slabs and oxygenate the water, so life on the terraces is usually plentiful.

Marine life and season

The sources we used don't single out particular species here.

Month-by-month season rating for Cabo Menor
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FairFairFairGoodPrimePrimePrimePrimePrimeGoodFairFair

Season follows Santander & Isla de Mouro: Boats run from late April to late October; April to September is the best stretch, and visibility can pass 15 m in spring and summer.

Know before you go

  • Strong currents can run off the cape; a compass, a reel and a surface marker buoy are strongly advised.

Sources

  1. Cabo Menor y Cabo Mayor - Mourosub — Mourosub

Photo credits

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