El Vell

The ridge near Turó Blau reveals itself as a mass of porous biogenic rock, riddled with holes and fissures from the surface down to 25 metres. This is not a site to rush along — the rewards are in the crevices. Work each section of rock methodically, sweeping a torch into the gaps where lobsters cluster in groups. A 2006 forum report documented seven or more spiny lobsters within a five-metre radius here, and the honeycomb structure explains why: every cavity is potential shelter. Morays and conger eels share these same spaces, often visible as a head protruding from a hole with a cleaner shrimp stationed nearby. Flabelina nudibranchs colonise the rock surfaces between crevices, their bright colours standing out against the dark substrate.

El Vell earned its reputation when divers who regularly dived Costa Brava expressed genuine surprise at the fauna density this close to Barcelona. The site's biogenic rock is the reason — porous, crevice-dense, and packed with more hiding places per metre than smoother substrates found on other Maresme ridges. Where nearby sites might share similar species lists, the sheer concentration here sets El Vell apart. Lobster clusters, nudibranch colonies, and resident morays occupy a compact area that rewards patience over distance. Two decades of documented sightings — from 2006 forum reports to current Niman Sub descriptions — suggest habitat quality that has persisted.

Bring a torch. The porous rock is full of recesses that stay dark even in good visibility, and the best macro life hides inside them. Nitrox is worth considering — at 25 metres maximum depth, EAN32 extends your bottom time meaningfully for the slow-paced crevice searching this site demands. The ridge sits near Turó Blau off Llavaneres port, operated as a boat dive by Niman Sub from Port Balís. Current conditions and visibility data specific to this site are limited, so check with the centre before booking. The site is diveable year-round, with the warmest conditions from July to October.