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I“The Batty” and “The 482”
As part of an incentive to attract marine life to the area, several wrecks were scuttled around the Camp Bay area from 9 to 17 metres in depth. This makes Camp Bay an attraction for wreck divers. PADI specialty courses like “Wreck diver”, “U/ W Navigation” and the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Diver are ideal to carry out here.
In 1990 at the end of their working life the “Batty” and the “482”, both cable laying barges used in the naval dockyard, were scuttled in 17 metres of water in Camp Bay. The idea was to create an artificial reef to attract marine life to the area. Almost two decades later an incredible amount of life in and around the wreck can be viewed. Jacks, cods, morays, congers, lobsters, spider crabs, blennies are present…. the list goes on...
Due to their location the Batty and the 482 are ideal for all experience levels. Penetration of the wrecks are also possible and therefore a torch is a must on this dive. Hole dwelling creatures can be encountered especially beneath the bow and stern of the wreck. |
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The three barges
In Camp Bay there are 3 more wrecks waiting to be explored; “the three barges”. They are old cargo vessels which were scuttled at a max. depth of 10 m, as artificial reefs at about the same time then the cable layer; the 482. Life here is abundant and the site an El Dorado for nudibranches.
The Norwegian wreck
A little outside Camp Bay lays the “Norwegian Wreck” which may be explored from the shore. Lying on her side she is the biggest of the Camp Bay wrecks, measuring about 50 metres in length. This wreck is covered with marine life. As soon as you reach the wreck at 23 metres deep a massive wall of about 10 metres appears in front of you – sometimes you can hear a ‘wow’ escaping from the diver’s mouth! As the “Norwegian wreck” is lying on its side the deck of the ship invites the diver to explore. |
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Tarifa – Diving at the furthest southerly point of Europe
After a minibus shuttle of about 1 hour the dives at the furthest southerly point of Europe – the “Isla Palomas” just outside the city of Tarifa - will be conducted as 2-tank shore dives.
Tarifa is the furthest southerly city in Europe and here the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean meet. Tarifa is also called “the capital of the wind” as it always blowing fiercely here. A wind force of around 3-4 Beaufort is normal – sometimes it is even higher. Because of its consistent winds Tarifa is well known amongst wind- and kite surfers.
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At Tarifa the diver can expect crystal clear waters, good visibility and nice rock formations all covered with abundant marine life. Depending on which direction the wind is blowing the dives are done either on the Mediterranean or the Atlantic side of the island. On the Mediterranean side advanced divers can go down to about 20 metres. Diving the Atlantic side, approx.125 metres can be reached.
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