HMS Eagle - Balearic Islands
The SS *Rotherfield* is a real favourite of ours in Scapa Flow, especially for those who appreciate a wreck with a story and a fair bit of grit. She lies on her starboard side, reasonably intact for a ship that met her end in 1914. Dropping down, you hit the bow first, and it’s a lovely swim along the deck where you can see the cargo holds gaping open. We’ve always found the visibility here to be pretty good on a slack tide, letting you pick out details like the anchor chains and the superstructure. What we love about the *Rotherfield* is the way nature has reclaimed her. The bulkheads are thick with plumose anemones, creating a soft, colourful carpet against the rusted steel. Look closely and you’ll spot butterfish darting in and out of the plating, and the occasional inquisitive poor cod peering from a dark corner. The stern section is particularly interesting, with the propeller still largely in place, a classic photo opportunity if your buddy is on point with the torch. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration, perfect for those days when you just want to soak in the atmosphere of a well-preserved piece of maritime history.
- Location
- Balearic Islands, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 38.050000, 3.020000
- Type
- wreck
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
- ALBATROS - 10m (wreck)
- ALMADRABERO - 40m (wreck)
- APOLONIA - 20m (wreck)
- Arco de Formentera (cave)
- Barcos de Burriana (wreck)
- Bufador de son solomo
- cala calafat
- CALA DEL VIDRE
- CALA D'OR - 1m (wreck)
- Cala en Porter East
- Calafat Playa
- Cala Figuera
- Cala fornells
- Cala Galiota - 5-20m (reef)
- CALA GAT - 18m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to HMS Eagle
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
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
- Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
- Boarfish (Capros aper) - Reef Fish
- blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) - Reef Fish
- Jac (Helicolenus dactylopterus) - Reef Fish
- Curled octopus (Eledone cirrhosa) - Octopus & Squid
- Black-bellied angler (Lophius budegassa) - Reef Fish
- Dark Tonguefish (Symphurus nigrescens) - Reef Fish
- Bogue (Boops boops) - Reef Fish
- conger (Conger conger) - Reef Fish
- Red Band-fish (Cepola macrophthalma) - Reef Fish
- Mullet (Mullus barbatus) - Reef Fish
- Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Common Bobtail (Sepietta oweniana) - Octopus & Squid
- red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) - Reef Fish
- poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) - Reef Fish
- Lanternfish (Lampanyctus crocodilus) - Reef Fish
- Brown Comber (Serranus hepatus) - Reef Fish
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
Recommended Packing List for HMS Eagle
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