La Garita (I and II)
La Garita is named after the old guard building on the north-east corner of Tarifa Island and is the easy introduction to the area. Ocean Addicts describes a rock wall from about 4 to 13 m (La Garita I, 13-15 m, low difficulty) and a rocky area with overhangs (La Garita II, 13-15 m) where the current often decides the direction and the exit point. Alcaidesa Marina gives 2-12 m, over a rocky bank that can also be entered over sand, and calls it sheltered from wind and tides. Life includes lobsters, hermit crabs, octopus, electric rays, nudibranchs, moray eels and spider crabs. Leon Marino calls the site the 'lobster stone', a rock with a cave housing lobsters, rays and conger eels. Position estimated from the island outline, for orientation only.
Facts
- Region: Spain – Strait of Gibraltar & Cádiz (Tarifa)
- Area: Tarifa Island (Isla de las Palomas)
- Depth: 2–15 m
- Level: beginner
- Current: moderate
- Type: shore, reef, wall
- Coordinates: 36.0085, -5.604 (approximate)
- Highlights: rock wall from 4 to 13 m, lobsters, octopus and electric rays, nudibranchs
- Tips: Within the Parque Natural del Estrecho; per Ocean Addicts all dives there are guided, so go with a local centre. Check wind and current on the day.