Outer Grossa (channel to El Mascarat) – Columbretes
Outer Grossa starts from an anchoring point in the bay of Illa Grossa and follows the channel between the island and the islet El Mascarat out towards open sea. The rocky passage holds white seabream, comber and meagre; large dusky grouper and schools of barracuda are often seen and the big rocks can shelter some of the largest lobsters in the Valencian region. The return follows a vertical wall covered in colourful algae and sponges, with starfish and nudibranchs. The bottom becomes sandy and less interesting at about 35 m. Position is the map pin on the Generalitat page, approximate.
Facts
- Region: Spain – Valencia coast (Columbretes, Costa Blanca, Tabarca)
- Area: Columbretes Islands
- Depth: 35 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: moderate
- Type: reef, wall
- Coordinates: 39.89623, 0.68531 (approximate)
- Highlights: rocky channel towards open sea, dusky grouper and barracuda schools, big lobsters among the rocks
- Permit: Columbretes is a marine reserve (Spanish state waters, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food). Recreational scuba diving is allowed only with prior authorisation, granted by the Government Sub-delegation in Castellón (Agriculture and Fisheries unit), and dives must be made from the existing mooring buoys. Authorisation is normally arranged through a licensed dive centre in Castellón or the Peñíscola/Alcossebre area; ask the operator for current quotas and season. (Source: official reserve leaflet, Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs)
- Issuer / contact: Subdelegación del Gobierno en Castellón – Dependencia de Agricultura y Pesca (marine reserve authorisation)
- Phone: +34 964 759 318
- Address: Escultor Viciano 2, Castelló
- Contact data taken from the official leaflet (2009 edition); confirm before calling.
- Tips: Watch for outgoing current at the channel entrance, and dive by depth gauge: the very clear water makes it easy to misjudge depth. Reserve rules apply (buoys only).