Bajo de Fuera (Islas Hormigas)
Bajo de Fuera is a rocky bar about 100 m long with steep spires just 3 m below the surface, the furthest dive of the Islas Hormigas reserve from the shore. The Sirio, the Nord América and the Minerva sank here, and the wreckage lies over the rock; the dive can stay above 20 m, while the wrecks are much deeper. Strong currents can build quickly, and large fish are the draw: amberjack, dentex, big groupers, barracuda, ocean sunfish and eagle rays are reported. Position estimated from map data, for orientation only.
Facts
- Region: Spain – Region of Murcia (Cabo de Palos, Cabo Tiñoso, Águilas)
- Area: Cabo de Palos – Islas Hormigas
- Depth: 3–60 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: strong
- Type: reef, wall, wreck
- Coordinates: 37.66265, -0.6363 (approximate)
- Highlights: rocky bar with spires 3 m below the surface, three wrecks on the bajo, amberjack, dentex, eagle rays
- Permit: Inside the Cabo de Palos–Islas Hormigas marine reserve (created 1995). Scuba diving outside the no-take integral reserve needs prior authorisation: in outer waters from the Área Funcional de Agricultura y Pesca of the Government Delegation in Murcia, in inner waters from the regional Dirección General de Ganadería y Pesca (the regional e-office lists the procedure 'Autorización para realizar inmersiones en las Reservas Marinas de Interés Pesquero', code 1153). Dive centres normally arrange this; go with a local centre and check the current rules. The contact details in the official reserve brochure date from 2009, so verify them.
- Issuer / contact: Área Funcional de Agricultura y Pesca, Delegación del Gobierno en Murcia (outer waters) / Dirección General de Ganadería y Pesca, Región de Murcia (inner waters)
- Address: Avda. de Alfonso X El Sabio 6, 30071 Murcia (Delegación del Gobierno); Plaza Juan XXIII s/n, 30008 Murcia (Dirección General); reserve centre: Miguel Salas Coy 8, Cabo de Palos
- As printed in the official reserve brochure (2009 edition); verify before use. Phone numbers from a 2009 leaflet could not be confirmed and were removed; check the official page.
- Tips: Advanced Open Water with experience; follow the guide's current briefing. Needs the reserve authorisation.