CALA PINAR - Costa Brava

Cala Pinar has a bit of a story, one we really like. It’s not your typical wreck dive, given it actually sank twice. First in 1970, then salvaged, only to go down again permanently not long after. Today, it’s settled upright at a comfortable 13 metres, right by the shore. What you get is a shallow, approachable wreck, perfect for extending your bottom time. We love the way the light filters through the propellor and across the deck, illuminating the resident damselfish flitting around the superstructure. Look for moray eels tucked into crevices in the hull – we've spotted a few there over the years. This spot works really well for newer divers getting their first taste of wreck diving, but it’s just as good for experienced eyes wanting to slow down and really observe the small details and the marine life that now calls this vessel home. Our favourite time to dive it is late afternoon, when the sun starts to drop and the colours really pop.

Location
Costa Brava, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
41.183334, 1.958333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
13m

Wreck History - CALA PINAR

Year Sunk
1970
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The Cala Pinar holds a particularly unusual place in maritime history, as it's the wreck of a ship that was ultimately saved. On June 4, 1970, the motor vessel developed a critical leak in its hull and sank to the seabed off the Costa Brava, coming to rest at a shallow depth of 13 meters. For most ships, this would be the final chapter, but not for the Cala Pinar.

In a remarkable salvage operation that unfolded over the next three months, a team of divers descended to the sunken vessel to painstakingly remove its cargo. Once the holds were empty, the ship itself was successfully refloated, patched up, and towed away for repairs, eventually expected to return to service. Because the vessel was recovered, divers visiting the location today will not find an intact shipwreck. Instead, the site is a debris field-a collection of items lost during the sinking and the subsequent recovery effort. It's a unique dive that tells a fascinating story of maritime resilience and recovery, rather than one of permanent loss.

Marine Protected Area: Espacio marino del Baix Llobregat-Garraf

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 CALA PINAR

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 CALA PINAR

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