Reina

A sheltered rocky bay at 1 metre is where the dive begins, with the boat anchored above and the formation walls close on three sides. Swim out of the bay and the bottom steps down to 12 metres, where small and large rock formations begin. The surfaces here carry corals and anemones. Work outward and depth increases to 18-24 metres, where the walls are thickest with white gorgonians and feather stars. Moray eels occupy the crevices at every level. Nudibranchs appear on the larger surfaces in the mid-depth zone. The innermost section of the bay stays around 4 metres, enough to settle air consumption and check equipment before heading to the outer formations where the dive opens up.

The eco-guided framework sets this site apart. Twelve official themed itineraries are available here, more than almost any single site in the Illes Medes. Grouper watching, nudibranch observation, cephalopod identification, gorgonian habitats: the rock formations support enough biodiversity that guides structure entirely different dives depending on who is in the water. The groupers are present year-round, habituated after decades of protection. Cova de la Reina sits directly adjacent to La Vaca, and many divers visit both on the same day. The contrast is useful: La Vaca is a tunnel experience with strong backlighting and enclosed passages. Cova de la Reina is open rock, wall, and reef, with a depth profile that works for a wider range of divers.

The depth transition is sharper than it looks. The sheltered bay sits at 4 metres maximum, but outside it the seabed drops quickly to 12 metres and then again to 24 metres on the outer wall. Monitor depth on exit from the bay. Boat traffic is heavy at the Medes in summer. Ascend only at the mooring line. An eco-briefing is mandatory before each dive, and the official Generalitat de Catalunya briefing PDF and video (available before your trip) cover site-specific rules. Photography is well-supported here: nudibranchs on the larger rock surfaces, feather stars on white gorgonians, and moray eels in the crevices all reward a macro lens.