Bajo de Piles II Marine Reserve
During your dive, you will encounter a diverse range of marine life, including resident groupers, pollock, mojarras, banks of castanets, fredis, and julias. In the summer, you may also witness schools of bogas being pursued by dentex and bacoretas.
Located within the Cabo de Palos Marine Reserve, between Bajo de Piles I and Bajo de Dentro, this dive site is easily accessible by boat. It is a short fifteen-minute journey from the port, and you'll find the site in close proximity to Piles I. The anchorage begins at a depth of -11 meters and gradually descends, revealing the steeper side where divers can explore depths of 27-30 meters. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, this dive offers flexibility with different routes suited for every level.
Piles II, the dominant feature of this location, boasts a sprawling rock formation that spans 90 meters from west to east. The surface of the shallows consists of a large slab, with the northern face gently dropping from -11 meters to approximately -25 meters, forming terraces. On the other hand, the southern face descends abruptly to a sandstone bottom at a depth of around -30 meters. Delve into the cracks and crevices of the slab to discover a diverse array of marine life, such as moray eels, crustaceans, ofiuras, and various crustaceans. Don't miss the chance to encounter majestic groupers, haddock, mojarras, and banks of castanets. During the summer months, witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of massive schools of bogas enlivening the site as they elude the dentons. Keep your eyes peeled for nudibranchs and planaria as you patiently explore the walls adorned with algae, sponges, and ascidians. Additionally, take a moment to gaze into the blue, as you may be fortunate enough to witness the migration of vast shoals of skewers and the occasional crossbow fish during spring and summer.
This dive comes highly recommended, as it promises an exciting adventure with its diverse routes suitable for all levels of divers. Prepare to be enthralled by the impressive population of large groupers and the abundant pelagic species that thrive within this renowned marine reserve. With a visibility of 13 meters and a maximum depth of 22 meters, this dive site delivers an unforgettable underwater experience in the captivating waters of Spain. Don't miss the opportunity to explore this stunning dive site near Isla del Ciervo, Cartagena, Campo de Cartagena y Mar Menor, Region of Murcia, 30385, Spain.
Diving Conditions Score for Bajo de Piles II Marine Reserve
Good diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Bajo de Piles II Marine Reserve
Depth
22m
Visibility
13m
Experience Level
Weather Conditions for Bajo de Piles II Marine Reserve
Wave Height
1.36m
Wind Speed
22.5 m/s
Water Temp
23.7°C
Visibility
32.9km
Cloud Cover
100%
Wave Period
5s
Air Temperature
25.5°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Dive Score Chart for Bajo de Piles II Marine Reserve
Best time to dive: 11:00 with score 6.628666666666667/10. Water conditions: Waves 1.28m, Wind 26.1 m/s.Best night dive time: 20:00 with score 6.1892/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Optimal diving conditions at Bajo de Piles II Marine Reserve are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Score: 6.6/10
Waves: 1.28m (5s), Wind: 26.1 m/s
Score: 6.6/10
Waves: 1.16m (4.8s), Wind: 24.7 m/s
Score: 6.2/10
Waves: 1.18m, Wind: 25 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Bajo de Piles II Marine ReserveAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Bajo de Piles II Marine Reserve
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for Bajo de Piles II Marine Reserve
Winter
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for Bajo de Piles II Marine Reserve
Ideal Conditions for Bajo de Piles II Marine Reserve
Water Temp
26.5°C / 79.7°F
August
Visibility
15.6m / 51.2ft
December
Wave Height
0.9m / 3.0ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Bajo de Piles II Marine Reserve
Bajo de Piles II Marine Reserve shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with August being the warmest month (26.5°C) and January the coldest (8.3°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.9m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 20, 2026