Heading south out of the harbour at Altea, shortly after passing El Albir lighthouse, the wall of the coastline traces a curious form rather like the shape of an elephant’s head, beneath which is found the submerged cave of the same name, although this route continues further on to anchor opposite the entrance to another cave, known as Dwarf’s Cave.
This excellent dive is done on the north face of the Peñón de Ifach and is characterised by a rocky bottom formed by large stones. These are arranged in such a way that they create pretty and curious shapes against the light, although the name The Arches is taken from the arches that have formed in some of these enormous rocks and where undoubtedly, and if the visibility is favourable, the captivating environment that created them will amaze you.
At the foot of the Peñón de Ifach Nature Park, where the footpath starts, El Racó Cove is located, a delightful shingle beach. Its SSE orientation in the lea of the east winds, and the exceptional quality of its water, both in visibility and natural life, make it an ideal place for simple dives, which means it is also much frequented by divers who are learning.
Leaving Xàbia, going south, you come to the small town of El Poble Nou de Benitatxell where you follow the road signs "Cumbres del Sol" , high up on a mountain with spectacular views, where you have to go down a narrow very steep road - watch out for your brakes. As soon as you reach sea level, the entrance to a cave is there on the right, following down some steps. You can put all the gear on outside and, flippers in hand, enter with care, finding a hole or deep pool some three metres in diameter, where the dive begins.
The cove El Tangó, also known as El Pope, offers a good chance for an entertaining and simple dive from the beach.
The cove is very close to the nautical club, beside the outer breakwater of the harbour and with a restaurant opening directly onto it. Its greatest difficulty lies precisely in reaching the water with the heavy diving equipment since it has to be carried over some awkward boulders.
Just past the island of Portixol, heading towards Cabo de la Nao, there is a small islet, La Mona de l'illa, the setting for this new gateway to the blue. The dive consists of going right round it and for that it is best to anchor a little way off, so that if you stay on a bearing of some 120°, on descending by the anchor cable you will probably find the entrance to a small cave, in fact a chimney, starting at a depth of some 11 metres and rising to about seven metres, where there are some openings that create pretty lighting effects.
In the incomparable Cape of San Antonio Marine Reserve, and having previously obtained the requisite permit, this interesting dive is proposed, which can be started at a small watercourse along the foot of the cliff in the reserve, at a spot known as La Cullerà for the indentation that appears in its wall [the name is derived from the Italian verb “cradle”].
On the coast of Valencia it is possible to experience entertaining dives and, as on this occasion, with a truly surprising abundance of natural life. The common characteristic of the seabed along this coast is the continual presence of sandy substrate which is sometimes dotted with rocky formations like islets or stony tonguelike outcrops which do not usually have variations in depth exceeding three or four metres.
The scuba route will begin at the same anchoring buoy No. 8 where the bottom, beside a rocky promontory, at a depth of just four metres, drops steeply to 15 metres. The proposal is to head for the north end of the island, encountering a profusion of large stones and rocky platforms along the way, like a labyrinth where huge lobsters hide taking refuge from the everpresent dusky grouper.
From the anchoring point situated on the bay of the Grossa island, head for the channel between this and the first islet El Mascarat, leading out to the open sea. In order to conserve the air in the tank, it is best to swim to the beginning of the channel so as to go below the surface there, although you must beware of the possible existence of currents outwards, which if very strong it would be advisable not to go out of the inlet.