Cape St Vincent Point
Dive site
The extreme southwest tip of mainland Europe channels powerful Atlantic current around a 75 m granite headland, creating a permanent upwelling that makes the cape one of the most productive fish habitats on the Iberian Atlantic coast. Eagle rays glide in pairs and small groups over the rocky shelves at 8 to 18 m; bull rays rest on sandy patches between boulders; and large smooth-hound sharks patrol the current lines in late summer. Dense orange and yellow encrusting sponges coat the rock faces below 15 m, sharing space with lobster, spider crab, and shoals of two-banded sea bream. The Marine Reserve designation limits boat access, which has allowed fish biomass to recover visibly since the 2000s.
Conditions
Depth
5 to 30 m
Open water and up
Current
Can be moderate
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
10 to 20 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
14 to 22°C
5mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 14 |
| Vis (m) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 5 |
| Current | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Moderate | Strong | Strong |
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