CALIFA - Cabo de Palos

The Cali is a proper wreck dive, no doubt about it. We're talking 58 metres, so this one's for the technical crowd, or at least those comfortable with significant depth and decompression obligations. She’s an auxiliary vessel, went down in 1954, and has rested upright on the seabed ever since. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer scale. The superstructure is still largely intact, creating these fantastic swim-throughs where light filters in, painting the interior in shades of blue. We love exploring the cargo holds, poking around the machinery space if you're qualified and have the right kit. Shoals of barracuda often hang motionless above the deck, their silver bodies reflecting the strobes. Look for moray eels tucked into every crevice and groupers eyeing you from shadowed corners. The Cali feels like a grand old lady, slowly being reclaimed by the sea, and we reckon it's one of the best deep wrecks the Med has to offer. Go on a calm day, visibility can be exceptional, making the descent feel like flying.

Location
Cabo de Palos, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
38.563168, 0.000667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
58m

Wreck History - CALIFA

Year Sunk
1954
Vessel Type
passenger ship
Cause
grounding

The Califa was a Spanish mail and passenger ship that served the route between the mainland and the Balearic Islands. For years, she was a vital link for commerce and travel in the region, a familiar sight in the western Mediterranean. Her career came to an abrupt and tragic end in the pre-dawn hours of September 7, 1954, while en route from Palma de Mallorca to Alicante.

Navigating through a dense, disorienting fog, the Califa's crew misjudged their position and struck the treacherous submerged rocks of Bajo de Fuera, part of the Hormigas Islands Marine Reserve. The impact tore a fatal gash in her hull, and the ship sank rapidly, coming to rest upright on the seabed. The proximity to the coast allowed for a swift rescue, but the ship itself was a total loss, becoming another victim of this notorious shipping hazard.

Today, the Califa is a challenging and rewarding technical dive, resting at a depth of 58 meters. This is a dive strictly for experienced, certified trimix divers. The wreck sits upright and is largely intact, though time and the sea are taking their toll. Divers can explore the decks and superstructure, now draped in marine growth and patrolled by large dentex and groupers. The depth, potential for strong currents, and the need for decompression make this a serious undertaking, but for those qualified, it's a hauntingly beautiful dive into Spanish maritime history.

Marine Protected Area: Serra Gelada

Nearby Dive Sites in Cabo de Palos

Nearest Dive Centres to CALIFA

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