Tabarca & Santa Pola · Spain · Artificial reef
Artificial Reefs
Anti-trawling concrete blocks turned into a 24 m reef
A square of four concrete structure groups on sand and seagrass at 24 m south of Tabarca, in the inner waters of the marine reserve. Built to stop trawling, the blocks and the collapsed remains of three old fishing boats beside them now shelter morays, conger eels, lobsters and large octopus.
Also known as Arrecife Artificial, Arrecifes Artificiales.
Where it is and how deep
38.1635° N, 0.4839° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The reef sits south of the island at 24 m, on a seabed of alternating sand and Posidonia seagrass. It is built from four groups of concrete structures, each about 6 m high, set roughly 15 m apart so that together they form a square. The blocks were placed to stop trawling in the area, and over the years they have become a dense home for fish and invertebrates.
Close to the structures lie the remains of three fishing boats sunk many years ago. Their hulls have degraded and collapsed until little boat shape is left, but the wreckage shelters morays, conger eels, scorpionfish, spiny and European lobsters and large octopus. Large pelagic fish, big rays and even dolphins pass through on occasion, though such sightings are the exception.
Marine life and season
- Octopus & cuttlefish
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Fair |
Season follows Tabarca & Santa Pola: The sea averages 14 °C in February, the coldest month, and 26 °C in August, the warmest.
Dive videos
arrecifes artificiales con Evolution Divers Tabarca · Evolution Divers on YouTube
Sources
- Buceo - Vadum Maris — Vadum Maris
- Arrecifes Artificiales Tabarca - Scubago — Scubago
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Sheltered 8 m dive among rocks full of small, photogenic life
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A 50 m rock on a migration route, with schools of large groupers
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Stone arches and caves in clear, bright water to 14 m
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A conger with cleaner shrimps in an old fishing boat's stern tube
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