CABO CULLERA - Costa Brava

Forget those deep, dark wrecks where you’re just trying to make out a shape. Cabo Cullera throws all that out the window. This isn’t a dive, it’s a snorkel – and a brilliant one at that. The wreck sits practically on the surface, just a metre deep, making it accessible to anyone with a mask and fins. What you get is an old cargo ship, the *Sant Jordi*, which ran aground back in 1948. We love how the light plays on the broken hull, creating these incredible patterns on the sand below. It’s been down there long enough for the structure to become a home for all sorts of critters. We always spot shoals of damselfish darting in and out of the rusted metal, and it’s a fantastic spot to find octopus tucked into crevices. You can spend an hour just floating, exploring the twisted steel and imagining its past life. Our insider tip? Go early in the morning before any wind picks up, when the water is at its calmest and the light is softest. It’s perfect for families, or for divers who just want a relaxed surface session.

Location
Costa Brava, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
41.098330, 1.233883
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Wreck History - CABO CULLERA

Year Sunk
1939
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
bombed
Tonnage
997 GRT

The Cabo Cullera is a stark and poignant relic of the Spanish Civil War. In January 1939, during the final, brutal months of the conflict, the Spanish steamship was anchored near Port de la Selva on the Costa Brava. It was there that it became a target for the German Condor Legion's aircraft, which were providing air support for the Nationalist forces. The vessel was bombed and sank at its mooring.

Resting in just one meter of water, the Cabo Cullera is less of a scuba dive and more of an accessible piece of history for snorkelers and freedivers. Its extreme shallow depth has exposed it to decades of wave action, which has broken the hull apart, scattering its remains across the seabed. Its 'Dangerous Wreck' classification is a warning about the sharp, twisted metal that lies just below the surface. Exploring the wreckage offers a direct and tangible connection to a turbulent period in Spain's past, as Mediterranean marine life slowly colonizes its structure.

Marine Protected Area: Costes del Tarragonès

Best Time to Dive in Costa Brava

The warmest water temperatures in Costa Brava occur in August, averaging 23.7°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 11.2°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 11.2°C
  • February: 11.4°C
  • March: 12.7°C
  • April: 14.5°C
  • May: 17.5°C
  • June: 21.5°C
  • July: 23.5°C
  • August: 23.7°C
  • September: 22.0°C
  • October: 19.3°C
  • November: 15.6°C
  • December: 12.8°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Costa Brava

Nearest Dive Centres to CABO CULLERA

Marine Life in Costa Brava

Home to 46 recorded species including 36 reef fish, 2 whales & dolphins, 2 sharks & rays, 1 worms, 1 seagrass & algae, 1 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for CABO CULLERA

Based on average water temperature of 17.1°C, currents 2 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 17°C water
  • Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
  • 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