Escull del Catifoll

The wall drops away from the mooring between the Negre del Falaguer and the Illa del Dui, its surface textured with white gorgonians and patches of red coral. The route works along the rock face toward the Arc del Dui — a large natural arch carved by sea erosion that connects the reef to the neighbouring islet. Swimming through the arch, the light shifts as the rock closes overhead and opens again on the far side. Forkbeards hold position in the shadows of the wall, octopuses work the crevices, and gilt-head bream patrol the edges where rock meets open water.

The Arc del Dui sets this dive apart from other Montgri coast sites. Where La Pedrosa has its 70-metre tunnel and the Medes pinnacles offer vertical walls, Catifoll delivers a single, striking architectural feature — the arch frames the dive and gives it a natural focal point. The wall itself carries both red coral and white gorgonians, a combination that creates a visual contrast against the rock. As a Montgri coast site rather than a Medes reserve dive, it typically sees fewer divers and does not require the marine reserve permit, making it a practical alternative when Medes slots fill up.

The arch is wide and naturally lit — this is a recreational swim-through, not a technical penetration. Maintain neutral buoyancy through the passage to avoid contact with the walls. Bring a wide-angle lens if you have one; the arch creates a natural frame that works well for photography. The site is boat-access only from L'Estartit, and any of the town's dive centres can include it in a dive plan alongside nearby Montgri coast sites.