Damsel s Wreck - Cabo de Palos
The Damsel’s Wreck at Cabo de Palos isn't just another dive; it’s a proper journey into history. This old steamer, we think she went down around World War I, sits upright on a sandy bottom, broken into two main sections. Dropping down, you hit the bow first, then glide along the deck towards the stern. It’s pretty exposed, so expect some current, but that’s often what brings in the action. We love exploring the holds, especially the one midships, where shafts of light cut through the gloom. Giant groupers often eye you from the shadows there, and the sheer number of conger eels that have made it home is impressive. The metal structure itself is heavily encrusted with vivid sponges and anemones, providing shelter for clouds of damselfish and barracuda that patrol the deeper sections. This dive suits experienced wreck divers who appreciate the story and atmosphere of an older wreck, rather than just the fish count. Our favourite part is lingering over the propeller, watching the light play on the brass as the barracuda circle. It’s a good one to plan for late morning when the sun angle really brings out the colours.
- Location
- Cabo de Palos, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 36.736702, -3.756219
- Type
- wreck
Marine Protected Area: Acantilados y Fondos Marinos de La Punta de La Mona
Nearby Dive Sites in Cabo de Palos
- AMISTADA - 24m (wreck)
- ANA M'PORTILLA - 5m (wreck)
- Anthias
- Bajo de Emilio - 24m
- Bajo del Faro - Isla Benidorm - 20m (reef)
- Bajo de Piles II Marine Reserve - 22m
- Bajo de Piles I Marine Reserve - 22m (reef)
- Bajo el Descargador - 15m
- Bajo La Morra - 22m
- Bajo las Palomas Reserve - 19m (reef)
- Cabo San Antonio
- Cabo San Martin
- Cabo Tinoso
- Cala Abierta - 20m
- Cala Cortina
Nearest Dive Centres to Damsel s Wreck
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
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
- hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
- Bogue (Boops boops) - Reef Fish
- Mullet (Mullus barbatus) - Reef Fish
- Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
- Brown Comber (Serranus hepatus) - Reef Fish
- Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) - Octopus & Squid
- Boarfish (Capros aper) - Reef Fish
- dory (Zeus faber) - Reef Fish
- red mullet (Mullus surmuletus) - Reef Fish
- Black-bellied angler (Lophius budegassa) - Reef Fish
- Red Band-fish (Cepola macrophthalma) - Reef Fish
- Curled octopus (Eledone cirrhosa) - Octopus & Squid
- Horse Mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) - Reef Fish
- Deep-body Pickarel (Spicara smaris) - Reef Fish
- Gunner (Pagellus bogaraveo) - Reef Fish
- conger (Conger conger) - Reef Fish
- axillary sea-bream (Pagellus acarne) - Reef Fish