Arrecife de las Sirenas

The Reef of the Sirens is a submerged volcanic ridge running parallel to the coast at the southernmost tip of Cabo de Gata, where crystal-clear Atlantic-influenced upwelling water meets the protected basalt seabed of Spain's premier marine reserve. Dense posidonia oceanica meadows cloak the shallower reaches of the reef before giving way to encrusting coralline algae, large sponges, and scattered gorgonian fans on the deeper ridges at 20 to 30 metres, hosting one of the highest grouper densities found anywhere on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. The site is named for the monk seals that historically hauled out on the rocks above — their equivalent today is the yellow-lipped sea snake never seen here, but the reputedly large local bull ray population has kept the mythology very much alive.