CALA D'OR - Balearic Islands

Cala D'Or offers a fascinating dive into history, literally. We’re talking about the wreck of a roll-on/roll-off vessel, sunk back in 1971. It ran aground on a rocky bottom, so while it’s a wreck, it’s also blended with the natural reef over the decades. You’ll find the hull structure draped in sponges, and the shadowy internal spaces are now home to groupers, often lurking in the darker corners. The size, 89 metres long, means there’s plenty to explore; you can swim through the old car decks, imagining the vehicles that once filled them. We particularly love how the light plays through the upper structure, creating these ethereal shafts as you drift past. It’s a comfortable dive for most, not too deep, allowing good bottom time to really soak in the atmosphere. Bring a torch, not just for the darker sections but to really make the colours pop on the encrusting life.

Location
Balearic Islands, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
38.975000, 1.533333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Wreck History - CALA D'OR

Year Sunk
1971
Vessel Type
ferry
Cause
grounding

The story of the Cala D'or is a short and tragic one. She was a brand-new roll-on/roll-off vessel, built in 1971 in Palma for the local company Naviera Mallorquina S.A. to serve the busy Balearic island routes. Her career, however, was destined to last only a matter of months. On October 8, 1971, while on a routine passage from Palma to Ibiza, the ferry strayed off course and ran hard aground on a rock.

The impact caused catastrophic damage, and despite attempts to salvage the new vessel, she was declared a total loss and abandoned to the sea. Lying in just one meter of water, the wreck has been relentlessly battered by waves and storms for over half a century. What remains today is a scattered debris field, with the ship's structure flattened and broken across the shallow seabed. For divers and snorkelers, the site offers an incredibly accessible and easy look at a shipwreck, where twisted metal plates and sections of the hull are interspersed with the natural rocky reef, providing a unique habitat for local marine life.

Marine Protected Area: Illots de Santa Eulària, Rodona i es Canar

Best Time to Dive in Balearic Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Balearic Islands occur in August, averaging 27.4°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 14.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 15.3°C
  • February: 14.8°C
  • March: 15.2°C
  • April: 16.4°C
  • May: 19.3°C
  • June: 22.5°C
  • July: 26.2°C
  • August: 27.4°C
  • September: 25.9°C
  • October: 23.4°C
  • November: 19.6°C
  • December: 16.5°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Balearic Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to CALA D'OR

Marine Life in Balearic Islands

Home to 150 recorded species including 110 reef fish, 11 octopus & squid, 11 sharks & rays, 5 whales & dolphins, 4 crabs & lobsters, 3 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for CALA D'OR

Based on average water temperature of 20.2°C, currents 12 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 20°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical diving depths at dive sites around Cala d'Or, suitable for both beginners and experienced divers?
At the specific Cala d'Or wreck site, divers can explore at a shallow depth of 1 meter. Despite its shallow nature, the site is classified as intermediate difficulty, offering a unique experience for divers with some experience.
What kind of marine life and underwater landscapes can divers expect to see when diving in Cala d'Or?
When diving at the Cala d'Or site, divers will encounter the impressive underwater landscape of a large roll on-roll off vessel, measuring 89m x 13.7m, resting on a rocky bottom. The site is a classified wreck, with portions of its hull and superstructure visible, offering a fascinating exploration of maritime history.
Are the dive sites in Cala d'Or suitable for beginner divers, or are they mostly for experienced divers?
The specific Cala d'Or wreck site is classified with an intermediate difficulty, suggesting it's more suited for divers with some experience. While the depth is very shallow at 1 meter, the nature of exploring a large wreck on a rocky bottom contributes to its intermediate rating.
What is the best time of year to go scuba diving in Cala d'Or for optimal conditions?
Information regarding the best time of year for optimal diving conditions at Cala d'Or is not available in the provided data. For general guidance on seasonal diving conditions in the region, you might consult our When to Dive section.
What scuba diving certifications are required to dive in Cala d'Or, especially for guided boat dives?
The provided data does not specify the scuba diving certifications required to dive at the Cala d'Or wreck site. Divers should typically hold at least an Open Water Diver certification for most guided dives. It is always best to confirm specific requirements with local dive operators.
What are the typical water conditions, such as visibility and currents, like for diving in Cala d'Or?
Details regarding typical water conditions, such as visibility and currents, for diving at the Cala d'Or wreck site are not included in the available data. Divers should always check local conditions with a dive center before planning their dive.