Bajo de Piles I & II (Islas Hormigas)
Piles I is a rocky ridge about 75 m long (7–29 m) and Piles II a second ridge just after it (11–32 m). The islashormigas.com dive centre calls it a safe, calm dive of simple to medium level; the north-west face is made of large blocks and it is easy to lose the way back to the boat. The ridge hosts a striking number of moray eels, plus scorpionfish and groupers of all sizes. 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: 7–32 m
- Level: intermediate
- Current: moderate
- Type: reef
- Coordinates: 37.63996, -0.69312 (approximate)
- Highlights: two rocky ridges, many moray eels, groupers and scorpionfish
- 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: Keep track of the anchor line on the north-west block field. Needs the reserve authorisation.