MALLORQUIN - Costa Brava

Mallorquin, just off the Costa Brava, is a proper slice of history. We’re not talking some obscure pile of metal, this is the wooden fishing vessel that went down after colliding with the Dutch cruiser, De Ruyter, back in ’64. The wreck sits shallow, around 12 metres, so it’s perfect for a longer dive, letting you really soak it all in. You'll find the Mallorquin largely intact, or at least its skeleton. The wooden hull has softened over the decades, becoming a canvas for encrusting sponges and swaying gorgonians. Sunlight filters through the water, dappling the deck, where schools of damselfish flit in and out of the shadows. Look closely, and you’ll spot moray eels peeking from crevices, and the occasional octopus tucked away amongst the beams. We love drifting along the deck, imagining the collision, then moving into the open holds where big groupers sometimes rest. It’s a site that feels alive, not just a relic. Best dived mid-morning before the wind picks up, when the light is clearest.

Location: Costa Brava, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 41.298832, 2.148556
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 12m

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

Nearest Dive Centres to MALLORQUIN

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

hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
Capelin (Trisopterus capelanus) - Reef Fish
grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
Scaldfish (Arnoglossus laterna) - Reef Fish
Bogue (Boops boops) - Reef Fish
Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
axillary sea-bream (Pagellus acarne) - Reef Fish
Atlantic Spotted Flounder (Citharus linguatula) - Reef Fish
Horse Mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) - Reef Fish
Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
conger (Conger conger) - Reef Fish
Long-finned Gurnard (Chelidonichthys obscurus) - Reef Fish
Mullet (Mullus barbatus) - Reef Fish
Red Band-fish (Cepola macrophthalma) - Reef Fish
Rockfish (Scorpaena notata) - Reef Fish
pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) - Reef Fish
sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for MALLORQUIN

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