Do you know the best dives?
This park begins in the town of Retamar, about 15 kilometers from Almería and, specifically, the first immersion point is at Torre García, approximately 300 meters from the shore. This diving point is known as "The island of Torre García" and its depth ranges between three and eight meters.A few meters away, and from the lighthouse itself, you can see one of the most emblematic landscapes of the park "Los Arrecifes de las Sirenas". To enjoy immersion in this area you can leave from a small jetty just a few meters away. The dive, being protected by the reefs, is not problematic except for the same reason as the previous one: the currents, so we recommend doing it before noon. It has a depth of approximately 12 meters.
The "Arna" wreck
Wreck diving is an incredible experience. Without leaving the previous area, you can take the next reference "La Laja". You will leave directly for Almería and you will be taking the same course that, about 65 years ago, the steamship "Arna" took. This boat after colliding with the "La Laja" sank towards Almería. Today, thanks to this shipwreck you can enjoy what, without a doubt, is the best dive in the entire park: "El vapor del Cabo de Gata".This wreck rests perfectly on a sandy bottom, with its deepest part at 42 meters and the shallowest part at 25 meters, in the stern castle. The propeller is a sight to see! The crystal clear waters of this environment make it possible to contemplate the shipwreck from the surface on some days.
One of the curiosities of this The wreck is that it is said that the Navy cut off the bridge because it was dangerous for navigation and, later, a company dismantled the engines, leaving it like this the ship practically hollow. The tour of its warehouses is not problematic: the cargo it transported was iron ore. Of course, be very careful with the currents, which in this area tend to be very strong.
"The yellow ones"
The next diving point that you can enjoy in the area is known as "Los Amarillos". It is located near San José, this being its closest embarkation point, on a sandy bottom between 15 and 23 meters. The name comes from its location, since it is located right in front of "Yellow Creek", a color of volcanic origin that, together with basalt, predominates on almost the entire Almeria coast.The next diving area close to the post is "Cala Higuera". This can be accessed by car along a very bad dirt road, and then by swimming from a small beach. Although the path is a little complicated, it is worth going along the surface until almost the point, this route always runs close to the cliff.
From this point to the next one which is in "los Escullos" there is no connection along the coast, you will have to go back and look for the "Isleta del Moro" road and before reaching the beach take the road from the right. To the left is "La Punta", where you have to swim a little more. You will find large rocks and meadows of posidonia. It is advisable not to exceed 15 meters. The "Embarcadero" cove is ideal for beginners due to its shallow depth.
"Sculptures" area
From the Escullos and Cala Higuera area there are endless places for immersion, all of them from a boat: access from land is totally impossible, the list would be very long, the most notable points being "El Chalet", "La Cueva del Francés", "Punta Escullos", "La Punta del Esparto", "Cala Grande", "Cala Chica", "Los Islotes", etc.
After leaving "Los Escullos" you can leave for "La Isleta del Moro", a small fishing village with excellent views. The first dive you can do includes a very quiet and beautiful area. The Diving can be done on the eastern side, bordering the islet and returning to the starting point, through a small channel that separates it from the land. The depth of this dive ranges between 10 and 12 meters.
For the next dive you have to move out to sea because its depth ranges from 28 to 40 meters, in front of the Isleta del Moro itself, it is the famous "Piedra los meros", once inhabited by large groupers, but poaching has taken its toll on it, it is still worth it.
Address: The black ones
Once we finished the visit to the Isleta we left for the east towards Las Negras. Passing a road with a steep slope that passes through "El mirador de la Amatista". You will be able to contemplate wonderful views, then you can continue to Rodalquilar, a town of old gold mines abandoned not long ago.Just after passing the town and long before reaching Las Negras, on the right, there is a dirt road. As you pass along a boulevard towards the beach you will reach El Playazo, with its castle on the left. There are old defense fortifications.
To the left towards Las Negras, is "The Cave of the Pigeons". It is a cave inside the mountain where small draft boats can enter, but be careful: there is a stone in the center and it can touch the engine. Little depth, but very pretty. And in front is the Cave, "Los Socabones" or "La Piedra del Rayo" between 12-16 meters, large loose stones in the Posidonia meadow.
Once past the town, you will find "El Cerro Negro". The entire slope of the hill is very good until "Cala Hernández" with a depth of 10-15 meters, large rocks with some very good caves.
Continuing towards Carboneras, you will have a long journey until you reach "Plomo" at the same point you have a quite interesting dive, followed by "Cala del Medio" and then the town of Aguamarga.
Between the town of Aguamarga and Mesa Roldán is the "Punta de los Muertos". It is a very good area, although when practically the entire wall is grounded it is wonderful. Large jumps, crevices, caves and lots of fauna, depth for all tastes but without exceeding 20 meters.
Ending the Park and in front of the town of Carboneras is the "Isla de San Andrés" and its surroundings, depths that range Diving can be done on the eastern side, bordering the islet and returning to the starting point, through a small channel that separates it from the land. The depth of this dive ranges between 10 and 12 meters.
For the next dive you have to move out to sea because its depth ranges from 28 to 40 meters, in front of the Isleta del Moro itself, it is the famous "Piedra los meros", once inhabited by large groupers, but poaching has taken its toll on it, it is still worth it.
Address: The black ones
Once we finished the visit to the Isleta we left for the east towards Las Negras. Passing a road with a steep slope that passes through "El mirador de la Amatista". You will be able to contemplate wonderful views, then you can continue to Rodalquilar, a town of old gold mines abandoned not long ago.Just after passing the town and long before reaching Las Negras, on the right, there is a dirt road. As you pass along a boulevard towards the beach you will reach El Playazo, with its castle on the left. There are old defense fortifications.
To the left towards Las Negras, is "The Cave of the Pigeons". It is a cave inside the mountain where small draft boats can enter, but be careful: there is a stone in the center and it can touch the engine. Little depth, but very pretty. And in front is the Cave, "Los Socabones" or "La Piedra del Rayo" between 12-16 meters, large loose stones in the Posidonia meadow.
Once past the town, you will find "El Cerro Negro". The entire slope of the hill is very good until "Cala Hernández" with a depth of 10-15 meters, large rocks with some very good caves.
Continuing towards Carboneras, you will have a long journey until you reach "Plomo" at the same point you have a quite interesting dive, followed by "Cala del Medio" and then the town of Aguamarga.
Between the town of Aguamarga and Mesa Roldán is the "Punta de los Muertos". It is a very good area, although when practically the entire wall is grounded it is wonderful. Large jumps, crevices, caves and lots of fauna, depth for all tastes but without exceeding 20 meters.
Ending the Park and in front of the town of Carboneras is the "Isla de San Andrés" and its surroundings, depths that range
