illa mateua
Also known as: Cala de l'Illa Mateua, Cala Mateua, Illa Mateua cove
Shore dive south of L'Escala combining twin tunnels through a small island at 6-10 m with the scattered debris of a 1963 French tugboat at 5-10 m.
Last updated October 2026
The dive
Park at the cove, kit up beside the car, and pick which side of the cove to start from. The depuradora route enters at the rocky outcrop near the water-treatment plant and follows the wall through narrow cavities, picking up nudibranchs, moray eels, and scorpionfish in the cracks. The island route enters from the cove side and swims out to the small rocky island, where two short tunnels cut through the rock at 6-10 m. Light a torch, take either passage, and exit the outer tunnel onto a 300-degree heading; about 75 to 100 m away, the scattered metal of the 1963 tugboat Constantin starts to show on the bottom at 5-10 m. Maximum depth across either route is around 16 m, with most of the dive happening in 6-12 m on rock and Posidonia meadow.
What makes it special
Most of the Costa del Montgrí dives off boats from L'Estartit. Illa Mateua is the L'Escala-side counterpart: shore entry, a permanent dive centre on the cove, and three features usually spread across a whole stretch of coast concentrated into one cove here: a small island, two swim-through tunnels, and a shallow wreck. The Constantin is not a structural wreck dive (there is no superstructure to circle), but as a first wreck for an Open Water diver, a 1963 debris field at 5-10 m is hard to better. The depuradora wall is what local regulars come back for: it has its own following as a night dive and a macro route, distinct enough that the same diver who praises the island for daylight will pick the depuradora when the sun goes down.
Know before you go
Run the two routes as separate dives; few divers manage both on one tank. Wind dictates whether the cove is workable: south winds and calm days are fine, tramontana (north) closes the entry. A torch matters on both sides too: the tunnels are short, but detail inside them disappears without light, and the depuradora cavities reward close inspection. Cliffs around the cove have a documented rockfall risk, so don't rest directly underneath them. Parking is straightforward outside high summer; in August, arrive early or use Mateua Dive's car park. A summer boat-exclusion zone keeps powered traffic out of the cove, but ascend with an SMB regardless.
Why Dive illa mateua
What makes this dive site stand out.
- Shore-accessible wreck and tunnels
Walk-in entry to both the Constantin debris at 5-10 m and the island tunnels at 6-10 m
- Twin tunnels through the island
Two short passages cut beneath the small rocky island, swimmable with a torch
- Shallow Constantin debris field
1963 French tugboat broken up at 5-10 m. Approachable by Open Water divers.
- On-cove dive centre
Mateua Dive operates from the cove April through October, with try-dives and courses
- Local night-dive route
The depuradora wall is the regulars' choice for night diving on this corner of coast
Depth & Profile
Location
42.1134°N, 3.1662°E
Conditions & difficulty
May through October for water temperature and crowd-tolerance. Tramontana (north wind) closes the site; south winds are fine.
Check current guided-dive rates directly with Mateua Dive.
Open Water for independent diving. Mateua Dive runs try-dives for uncertified visitors. Tunnels are short and naturally lit.
Summary
Maximum depth 16 m, shore access, short tunnels. Buoyancy control matters around the wreck debris and tunnel openings.
Safety considerations
What can go wrong here, and what divers do about it. Conditions change - take the briefing from the operator on the day.
- Structure and sharp edges: Surrounding cliffs are unstable enough that locals advise against resting directly under them.Stay clear of the cliff base on entry and exit.
- Surface and boat traffic: Tramontana (north wind) makes entry difficult and is the local cancellation driver.Check forecasts before driving in. South winds are fine; calm days are ideal.
- Surface and boat traffic: Summer marker zone keeps powered boats out of the cove, but vigilance still helps on ascent.Surface with an SMB. Ascend within the marked zone.
Marine Life
Rules and permits
Dive centres in Catalonia must require insurance from every diver on their dives, and must be able to offer a policy to anyone who has none.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I dive Illa Mateua directly from the shore?▾
Yes. The cove has a parking area within a short walk of two distinct shore entries: one at the depuradora rocks for the wall route, and one inside the cove for the island and wreck route. This is one of the rare Costa del Montgrí sites where you can park, change at the car, and be in the water without a boat. Mateua Dive also offers guided boat dives from April through October for visitors who prefer to be brought to the site.
What is the wreck at Illa Mateua?▾
The Constantin, a French navy tugboat that struck Punta dels Cinc Sous in 1963 while being towed for scrap and broke up at the foot of the island. The remains are scattered at 5-10 m. There is no intact hull or superstructure to swim around; what's there is a debris field of identifiable metal at shallow recreational depth, easy to find on a 300-degree heading from the outer tunnel exit.
What are the two dive routes at Illa Mateua?▾
The depuradora route enters near the water-treatment-plant rocks, follows the wall to a tunnel, then loops north and back south. It is the macro and night-dive route. The island route enters from the cove, swims out to the small island, passes through the twin tunnels at 6-10 m, then exits on a 300-degree heading and runs about 75 to 100 m to the Constantin debris. Most regulars dive the two routes separately; few chain both onto one tank.
What certification do I need to dive Illa Mateua?▾
Open Water Diver for independent diving. The whole site, including the tunnels and the wreck, sits within 16 m, comfortably inside OW limits. Mateua Dive offers try-dives for visitors without certification, where the instructor handles depth and navigation directly.
Is Illa Mateua good for macro photography?▾
Yes. Local divers consistently flag the depuradora cavities as the macro route, with nudibranchs, moray eels, and scorpionfish in the rocky crevices. Octopus are a reliable subject across the site. Older trip reports also mention occasional surprises like electric rays and sea hares, not expected encounters, but the kind of finds that have built the site's quiet reputation among Catalan macro photographers.
Is Illa Mateua on the official Costa del Montgrí dive-site list?▾
No. The Parc Natural del Montgrí's own itinerari-submarins catalogue names 16 sites, all launched from the L'Estartit and Medes side of the coast, and Illa Mateua is not among them. The dive is well established locally all the same: the on-cove centre, Mateua Dive, runs it daily, outside the park's formal itinerary programme.
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