The Islets of Cap Canadell
4 points of interest
FaunaSea slugs
These small sea slugs are true wonders of color and elegance. However, you’ll need to be especially vigilant to observe them due to their tiny size. Charming and mysterious species, they develop a variety of defense strategies. Sometimes venomous, they display brilliant colors that will delight fortunate photographers. (F. Brun - Le Roussillon Sous-marin, Ed. GAP)
shipwreckLe Sahel
Built in 1857, the Sahel is a beautiful sailing ship 54 meters long very well equipped for the time. It has a rare system that combines water vapor and ether. This saves coal and transportation space. August 22, 1863, the Sahel returns from Oran and goes up the Catalan Coast face a very strong tramontane. It will then run aground on the Anse de Cerbère but the passengers will be rescued by the local population. (F.Brun - The Roussillon Underwater - Ed.GAP)- Fauna
The moray eel
A mythical, almost mythological animal, the moray eel fascinates, unsettles, and can sometimes be aggressive. Measuring up to 150 cm and weighing as much as 6 kg, its skin is brown with yellow spots. It is indeed a fish, not a reptile. The moray eel has poor vision but an excellent sense of smell, allowing it to detect its prey with precision. It can live for more than 10 years and spends most of the day in its burrow. Although it rarely ventures into open water, you might surprise one around a rock while diving or snorkeling. - Fauna
Red Coral
Red coral has long been coveted for its beauty and its medicinal and supernatural properties. Specific to the Mediterranean, the ancients believed it offered protection against bad luck and could ward off lightning. Often referred to as "the most beautiful carpet in the world" by J.Y. Cousteau, it’s easy to understand why there is a strong need to protect this precious resource. (F. Brun - Le Roussillon Sous-marin - Ed. GAP)
Description
The Islets Campagies, located in front of the Cap Canadells, border the cove of Terrimbos to the south and protected from the wind , overlooking the bay of Cerbère.
This site is characterized by its main south islet which is a complete diving circuit. It offers the possibility to dive at shallow depth but also to go down to 36 meters depth. It’s rare in the region to have such a configuration. A smaller islet situated at about 100 meters from the cap. Two buoys are placed near the site one at the south east point and the other on the south side. Several dive options are possible from both.
In the area where there can be violent currents it’s not uncommon to cross a bank of barracudas or amberjacks. Massif rock forming a pretty canyon embellish the exploration. Further offshore, we can admire the iconic and beautiful red coral of Mediterranean as well as lobsters and other rockfishes.
In the zone of 18 meters of depth we discover “coralligéne” formations. If this Mediterranean endemic substrat is home to moray eel congers and other nudibranchs it’s also contains the secret of red coral loved by jewelers but well protected today. This red coral can be observed in areas 35-40 meters where it coexists with the magnificent red gorgonians.
- Departure : Port d'Argelès-sur-Mer, de Collioure, de Port-Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer et Cerbère
- Arrival : Port d'Argelès-sur-Mer, de Collioure, de Port-Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer et Cerbère
- Towns crossed : CERBERE
Recommandations
Go safe and be supervised by professional scuba diving from all the ports of the Côte Vermeille.
Argelès-sur-Mer:
Argelès Plongée: 06 78 48 76 30 / 06 83 89 96 90 - Résidence Santa Maria Rue des Matelots
Aquatile Plongée: 06 16 51 31 06 - Résidence Atalaya 2 Place Magellan
Archipel Plongée: 04 68 95 71 03 / 06 25 59 35 77 - 8 Résidence les Villégiales
La Sirène Plongée : 04 68 81 60 58 – Camping la Sirène, route de Taxo
Collioure:
CIP Collioure: 04 68 82 07 16 - 24 Rue Ravin du Coma Xeric
Port-Vendres:
Paradis des bulles: 06 70 55 69 18 - Quai Fanal
Tech of Plongée: 06 58 55 41 04 -2 Quai Fanal
CAP Port-Vendres: 04 34 12 09 27 - 4 rue Jules Ferry
Scuba Passion: 06 07 56 03 73 - Plage des Tamarins Route de la Jetée
Banyuls-sur-Mer:
Rédéris Plongée: 04 68 88 31 66 - Quai A Port Parking Méditerranée
AquaBlue Plongée: 04 68 88 17 35 - 5 Quai Georges Petit
Plongée Bleue: 07 85 75 67 45- 10 quai Georges Petit
Cerbère:
Aloès Plongée: 06 33 33 18 44 - Résidence les Aloes Cap Peyrefite
Plongée Cap Cerbère: 04 68 88 41 00 - Route d'Espagne
