Snorkeling at El Descargador (Cabo de Palos)

This beautiful cove, located south of Cabo de Palos, is dominated by the small islets known as El Descargador.

Several routes are possible due to the size of the area. The route proposed here is suitable for all types of users, as it remains in shallow water while offering an abundance of marine life.

We set off from the shore and head towards the western side of the islet. The seabed, initially covered with gravel, soon gives way to extensive meadows of Cymodocea, a marine plant which, like Posidonia, helps oxygenate the environment and is constantly visited by large schools of salema porgies, whose golden stripes shimmer in the sunlight.

Further along, rocky formations begin to appear, shallow enough to stand on, as we continue circling the islet, which remains on our right. Larger rocks gradually emerge and, at the tip of the islet, form a submerged breakwater that creates a sheltered area where the water is usually calm. The vegetation becomes scarcer and gives way to countless rocks that provide refuge for octopuses, small groupers and even the occasional shy moray eel peeking out from its hiding place.

One of the most striking sights is the presence of thousands of juvenile fish, including bogue, bogue (Boops boops) and damselfish. These waters provide the perfect nursery habitat, particularly in early summer following the spring breeding season. Predators such as sea bass and small tuna species know this well and patrol the area, making sudden attacks that cause the shoals of young fish to move as if they were a single organism.

We weave our way through the rocks and, upon reaching the eastern tip, encounter small islets and rocky outcrops that are almost submerged and descend beyond three metres in depth. From here, we begin the return journey to the starting point, staying close to the islet and enjoying the constant spectacle of marine life.