Escull del Catifoll

Rock drops vertically from the surface between the Negre del Falaguer and the Illa del Dui. White gorgonians fan out across the wall face, and patches of red coral mark the crevices. The route follows the wall toward the Arc del Dui. This is the centrepiece. Sea erosion carved a wide passage through the reef, linking it to the neighbouring islet. Inside the arch, light filters through from both ends. Forkbeards hold position in the darker recesses. On the far side, the wall continues with lobsters tucked into gaps between boulders and octopuses working the rock. Yellow sponges dot the surfaces where the gorgonians thin out. Schools of sea bream circle the upper wall on the return.

One feature defines this dive. This arch is large enough to swim through comfortably, naturally lit, and connects the reef to its neighbouring islet in a single geological frame. No other Montgri coast site has an arch of this scale. Where Dofí Nord offers a tunnel network and El Negre del Falaguer rewards macro hunters, Catifoll is built around a single piece of architecture. The wall carries both red coral and white gorgonians together, which is less common at this depth range along the coast. As a Montgri coast site rather than a Medes reserve dive, it runs without the permit fee and daily diver cap. Fewer boats, less competition for mooring.

Pack a torch. The arch interior reveals red coral and crevice life that ambient light misses. Wide-angle photographers should time the swim-through for midday when light enters from both sides of the passage. The site is boat-access only from L'Estartit harbour. Four centres run trips here. Single dives in this area start from around 36 EUR with your own equipment. The arch is a recreational swim-through with natural light and wide clearance. No cave training needed.