L'Escull
Located in the municipality of Jávea, this dive site can be accessed by boat. Its distinct island morphology makes it easy to locate, and divers can either organize their own trip if they have a boat or go through the diving centers in Jávea.
This dive offers a diverse range of marine life, including large groupers, schools of barracudas, moray eels, conger eels, and during the winter season, lobsters. With a maximum depth of 24 meters, it is suitable for intermediate and experienced divers who are looking for a longer dive. The dive site features caves, arches, and cuts, providing opportunities to encounter species such as the moray eel Muraena helena and schools of fish, creating a truly memorable experience.
To reach this dive site, locate the geographical coordinates while facing the island of L'Escull with your back and looking towards the land. You will find a shallow area with a depth of 5 meters, and descending towards the west side of the shallows will lead you to two caves that run parallel to each other. By entering the cave on the left (interpretive stop A), you can observe hidden moray eels among the rocks at the cave exit. Additionally, this area is inhabited by abundant shoals of Boga (Boops boops) and chucla (Spicara smaris). As you exit the cave, you will have reached a depth of 15 meters.
Continuing along the wall in a slightly northern direction, you will encounter elongated and rounded blocks of rock. Progressing further, the depth will reach 21 meters. After approximately 20 meters, you will reach the base of L'Escull and start circling it counterclockwise, beginning with its east face. In the central part, there is a shallow cave that can be explored before ascending the wall to decrease depth slightly. During the ascent, the sloping wall is populated by organisms such as the bryozoan Pentapora fascialis, forming rounded masses. Purple urchins (Sphaerechinus granularis) and two species of gorgonians, Eunicella verrucosa and Leptogorgia sarmentosa, can also be observed.
Around 6 meters deep, you can turn to locate a group of rocks and observe the marine life residing in the crevices. Continuing to circle the island, you will descend once again, passing in front of the shallows and under the two caves that cross it. At the level of the caves, a smooth and slightly inclined rock platform begins. Advancing along this platform, you will encounter a small drop of about two meters, leading to a descending path. From there, turn west to find a striking arch. Divers have the option to go through the arch and ascend towards the shallows, but it is important to monitor air and decompression time at this point, as the dive duration may have been significant.
Once the shallows are reached, divers can either return through the other cave or explore the south face, where the needle-like rock formations create a visually stunning backdrop. Finally, when the anchor is sighted, divers should begin their ascent, considering a safety stop if necessary based on their dive profile and air consumption.
This dive site in Jávea, Spain offers a maximum depth of 24 meters and is recommended for advanced divers. Located near Calle de Benjamin Britten, Balcón al Mar, Xàbia / Jávea, la Marina Alta, Alacant / Alicante, Valencian Community, 03738, Spain, it provides a fantastic underwater experience with a visibility of approximately 14 meters.
Last updated: 12 mo. ago - Oct 3, 2023