Andreas Diving
Family-run SSI center on Menuda Beach in Tossa de Mar since 1998, with eco-guide philosophy, 17 dive sites, and authorized Cressi service.
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Perduts
Also known as: El Pou de la Llagosta, Perdidos
Offshore precoralligenous pinnacle cluster at 15-32 m southeast of Illa de Tossa, named for its disorienting rock maze and local lobster reputation.
Last updated April 2026
The dive
Forty to fifty metres to the left of Illa de Tossa, fifty to sixty metres out to sea. That is how a local diver describes finding Perduts, in landmarks rather than coordinates. The boat drops you at the deep end, around 30 m, where flat precoralligenous rock slabs spread outward over sand. From here you work upward through cracks and canyons between blocks that repeat in every direction. Lobsters occupy the holes. Barracuda schools hang in the gaps. The terrain is the dive. Canyons open to identical-looking formations. Holes lead to more holes. The ascent follows pinnacle tops toward 20 m, where most guides turn the group and begin the return to shallower water.
What makes it special
The Catalan name means "The Lost Ones," and the site earned it. Where Roca Muladera gives you a canyon with defined walls and Mar Menuda gives you thirty routes from one beach, Perduts gives you a rock maze with no signposts. The first visit with a local guide who knows the route is the standard entry path. Older community accounts capture the atmosphere. A diver asks for directions, a Tossa local answers in bearings from a red mark on the island, and the original poster eventually finds the site through a personal contact. The second name, El Pou de la Llagosta, tells a different story. Spiny lobsters colonize the crevices and holes across the formation. In winter, monkfish lie flat against the stone. John Dory appear among the deeper rocks. Spring brings a reported sunfish cleaning station, though divers should treat this as an opportunity rather than an expectation.
Know before you go
Air matters here. The average depth stays above 20 m for most of the dive, compressing non-decompression limits on air. Nitrox extends the window. Local centres cancel Perduts when visibility drops below their threshold. Follow the local rule rather than pushing through. Fishing nets have been documented repeatedly in the Perduts zone, with spring cuttlefish season bringing the heaviest gillnet presence. A cutting tool is not optional. Deploy an SMB on ascent; fishing boats work this area daily. Summer bottom water sits at 16-20 C below the thermocline despite surface temperatures of 24-26 C. Pack a hood and consider 7 mm even in July.
Why Dive Perduts
What makes this dive site stand out.
- Lobster habitat reputation
Local name El Pou de la Llagosta (The Lobster Well) reflects decades of spiny lobster association.
- Disorienting rock maze
Flat precoralligenous formations with cracks and canyons earned the Catalan name The Lost Ones.
- Thermocline depth profile
Average depth 20 m+ sits below the summer thermocline; bottom water 16-20 C in July-August.
- Winter macro window
Monkfish and John Dory appear among the deep rocks from December to March.
Depth & Profile
15m
Min depth
32m
Max depth
20–30m
Typical range
ReefPinnacleRockSand
Location
41.7200°N, 2.9416°E
Conditions & difficulty
Temperature
13°C – 26°C
Visibility
15–20m
Current
Mild
Best season
May-October
Autumn (September-October) and calm winter days offer the best visibility. Spring brings sunfish opportunity. Winter rewards macro specialists.
Cost
OceaNomads publishes 46 EUR including equipment, cylinder, weights, guide and boat. Insurance extra. Verify current rates with your centre.
AdvancedMin cert: Advanced Open WaterNitrox recommended
Max depth 32 m exceeds the 18 m OW limit. Some centres offer the shallower structure tops (15-20 m) to OW divers, but the signature deep rocks remain out of scope.
Summary
Three compounding factors: high average depth below 20 m, disorienting uniform rock terrain, and distance from shore.
Safety considerations
What can go wrong here, and what divers do about it. Conditions change - take the briefing from the operator on the day.
- Orientation: Extensive similar-looking flat rock formations make navigation challenging. The site name means 'The Lost Ones'.Dive with an experienced local guide on first visits. Compass mandatory. Maintain buddy contact.
- Depth: Average depth exceeds 20 m, max 32 m. Compressed NDL throughout the dive.Nitrox recommended. Conservative turnaround. Monitor air closely.
- Overhead: Gillnets documented repeatedly, especially during spring cuttlefish season. A 10-15 m net from -15 to -25 m was reported in 2012.Carry a cutting tool. Watch the water column ahead, especially on ascent.
- Surface and boat traffic: Fishing boats operate daily in the Tossa bay approach area.Deploy SMB on ascent. Stay aware during safety stop.
- Cold and exposure: Summer bottom water 16-20 C versus surface 24-26 C at working depth.5-7 mm plus hood for long bottom time even in summer.
Dive Centers
View allBook a guided dive at this site.
Diving & Combat
Family-feel PADI and CMAS centre in Tossa de Mar with free parking, van to Mar Menuda, and a wide course menu including ice, altitude and DPV specialties.
PADI / CMAS / SSI / TDI / FECDAS8 services3 languages
Oceanos Diving Center
Family-run Costa Brava dive center at Cala Canyelles, Lloret de Mar, with its own boat reaching reefs and pinnacles from Blanes to Tossa de Mar.
CMAS / PADI / SSI6 services4 languages
SuperDive Tossa
Costa Brava's only PADI CDC, 20+ years in Tossa de Mar with the world's sole Mediterranean SeaHorse Expert specialty and 843 five-star reviews.
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Regulations
Protected area
Tossa de Mar has PEIN and Natura 2000 ZEC environmental protection only. No marine reserve exists for Tossa. No diving permits, fees, or diver quotas apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the dive site called Perduts?▾
Perduts means 'The Lost Ones' in Catalan. The name comes from the extensive flat precoralligenous rock formations that look similar in every direction. Local divers routinely lose orientation among these rocks. The site also carries a second name, El Pou de la Llagosta (The Lobster Well), reflecting its reputation as productive spiny lobster habitat.
What certification do I need to dive Perduts?▾
Advanced Open Water (PADI AOW, SSI Advanced, or CMAS 2-star) is the minimum. The site reaches 32 m with an average depth exceeding 20 m throughout the dive. Some centres allow OW divers to stay on the shallower structure tops at 15-20 m, but the signature deeper rocks remain out of scope. Nitrox certification is recommended to extend bottom time.
What is the best time of year to dive Perduts?▾
May to October for warmest conditions. Autumn and calm winter days deliver the best visibility. Winter months bring monkfish and John Dory for macro specialists. Spring offers a sunfish opportunity (April-June), though this is not guaranteed. Local centres skip the site when visibility is poor, so conditions on the day matter more than season.
What marine life will I see at Perduts?▾
Spiny lobsters in the rock crevices are the signature association. Barracuda banks patrol the gaps between formations. Moray eels, conger eels, octopus, dentex, and breams are area-typical residents. In winter, monkfish hide flat against the stone, nearly invisible until found by torchlight. Groupers are area-occasional in Tossa and skittish; Perduts is not specifically endorsed for grouper encounters.
Can I shore dive Perduts?▾
Technically possible from Mar Menuda via the El Cuerno formation past Illa de Tossa, but impractical for most divers. The extended surface swim and the air budget needed to reach 20 m+ depth make boat access the only realistic option. The ride from Tossa port is 5-15 minutes.
Why do local divers avoid Perduts in poor visibility?▾
The site's defining challenge is navigation through extensive similar-looking rock formations. Without good visibility, this challenge becomes unsafe. Local guides state the rule directly: they do not go to Perduts if visibility is not acceptable. The site does not reward poor conditions the way shallower, more sheltered Tossa dives can.
What temperature should I expect at depth?▾
Perduts operates at 20-32 m, below the summer thermocline. In July and August, surface water runs 24-26 C but bottom temperature drops to 16-20 C, a significant difference. A 5 mm wetsuit alone is borderline for long bottom time. In winter the water column mixes to a uniform 13-15 C. Plan exposure protection for the working depth, not the surface temperature.
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