AMISTADA - Cabo de Palos

Amistada isn't your average Med wreck; she’s a proper dive, and one we always try to fit in when we're around Cabo de Palos. This isn't some deep, dark behemoth, but a graceful yacht, settled upright at a perfectly manageable 24 meters. We love how the light filters down through the clear water, illuminating her lines. You can practically imagine her sailing days. The Amistada herself is interesting enough, with her elegant bow and stern still largely intact, but it’s the marine life that really makes her sing. Schools of barracuda often circle her mast, glinting in the sun, and the decks are a vibrant tapestry of nudibranchs, often some of the biggest we've seen in Spain. Look closely in the engine room – if you can manage the silty entry – for the conger eels peeking out from behind corroded machinery. We always aim for a morning dive here; the visibility tends to be at its best before any boat traffic kicks up the sediment, and the currents, while usually mild, can pick up a bit later in the day.

Location
Cabo de Palos, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
38.585500, -0.040167
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
24m

Wreck History - AMISTADA

Vessel Type
yacht
Cause
unknown

The story behind the sinking of the yacht AMISTADA remains a mystery, its final moments lost to the sea. Lying at a depth of 24 meters off the coast of Cabo de Palos, a region renowned for its spectacular wreck diving, this site offers an intriguing exploration for certified divers. The vessel's classification as a 'Dangerous Wreck' adds a layer of caution and excitement, suggesting a structure that may be unstable or pose entanglement hazards, demanding careful buoyancy and awareness from all who visit.

Descending onto the AMISTADA, divers will find the recognizable shape of a modern yacht, now transformed into an artificial reef. The Spanish Mediterranean waters have encouraged a vibrant colonization of marine life; conger eels peer from pipes, schools of damselfish swarm the superstructure, and colorful nudibranchs can often be spotted on the hull. Exploring the remnants of its decks and cabins provides a unique and slightly eerie experience, prompting divers to imagine the vessel in its prime, gliding across the waves before its untimely end.

Marine Protected Area: Serra Gelada

Nearby Dive Sites in Cabo de Palos

Nearest Dive Centres to AMISTADA

Marine Life in Cabo de Palos

Home to 193 recorded species including 138 reef fish, 12 sharks & rays, 11 octopus & squid, 7 whales & dolphins, 5 other, 5 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species