Cap Cerbère

Fauna

Flora

Embed this item to access it offline

Enjoy the cliffs and underwater life

One of the last diving spots before going into Spain

4 points of interest

Fauna
The Bottlenose Dolphin
It’s not uncommon to spot a pod of bottlenose dolphins heading toward Cap de Creus. This is, in fact, the only coastal cetacean species in the Mediterranean, and it’s abundant and frequently observed during the summer months along the Côte Vermeille. Don’t leave here without catching a glimpse of them!
Fauna
Sea stars
The quality and clarity of the waters of the Côte Vermeille make it possible to observe these beautiful five-armed starfish. Easily visible with just a mask and snorkel, you can discover them throughout your exploration. It’s important to remember that it is forbidden to remove starfish from their natural environment, as they are protected species. They lose all their color once dried. **Admire them with your eyes only!**
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. Despite its reptilian appearance, it is indeed a fish, not a reptile. The moray eel doesn’t have great vision but possesses an excellent sense of smell, allowing it to detect its prey with precision. It can live for more than 10 years and typically stays hidden in its burrow during the day. Although it rarely ventures into open water, you might surprise one around a rock during your underwater exploration.
Fauna
The barracuda
A large carnivorous fish, the barracuda has an elongated body with a prominent lower jaw and fang-like teeth. Typically measuring between 50 centimeters and one meter, it is a formidable predator. Its diet consists of fish, octopuses, cuttlefish, and crustaceans. The barracuda hunts by ambush, quickly lunging at its prey with a sudden burst of speed. With its silvery color, black stripes on its back, and large eyes, it is impossible to miss!

Description

Cap Cerbère also called Cap Nègre, is the second to last cap of the French coast, at a short distance from the Cap L'Ocell, where Spanish and French borders join.

Although close to Cerbère, the site is only accessible by boat because of its situation, due to the high vertical cliffs. At a height of 60 meters, tumbling into the Mediterranean at a depth of 26 meters.

You will get into the sea from the largest side, at about 50-60 meters from the edge, at a depth of 20-25 meters. You will land on a dense coralligenous where many a lobster and moray eels live as well as young red coral. Go North West towards the Cape and discover a rock slide covered in encrusted sea sponge, sea urchins and star fish. As you approach the Cape within the 10-meter zone, admire the gorgonian sea fans. A beautiful white valley landscape appears before your eyes. Finish your stop dives in this shallow zone and encounter schools of barracuda during the hot summer.

When the strong winds of the Tramontane blow, this area is the best place to be out of the wind. As is the cove of Paulilles, hidden behind Cap Béar.

(F.Brun - Le Roussillon Sous-marin - Ed.GAP)

Departure : Argelès-sur-Mer Port, Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer and Cerbère
Arrival : Argelès-sur-Mer Port, Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer and 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