Snorkeling at Isla Plana (Mazarrón)

Near Mazarrón, the coastline offers a picturesque landscape featuring a small island beside a chapel and the archaeological remains of the Roman site of Los Tinteros.

We enter the water and head towards Isla Plana, located less than 50 metres from the shore. The seabed consists of a shallow, highly illuminated rocky platform covered with brown algae, which gradually gives way to a spectacular Posidonia seagrass meadow whose leaves rise prominently towards the surface.

The western side of the island is very shallow, allowing visitors to stand comfortably for much of the route. This area is full of marine life, including wrasses, comber fish and octopuses.

Close to the island, the rocky wall features shaded folds and crevices where the sea anemone Actinia equina, commonly known as the beadlet anemone or sea tomato, can be seen with its striking deep-red colour.

The island also forms small cave-like inlets where the water remains shallow, while in other sections the wall drops steeply into deeper water. These areas are always inhabited by groups of black damselfish, whose juveniles display a brilliant neon-blue colour.

If sea conditions are favourable and you are a confident swimmer, it is possible to complete a full circuit around the island. The depth gradually increases and large isolated rocks begin to appear.

Before rounding the southern tip, a small inlet contains a natural arch at approximately three metres depth, creating beautiful underwater silhouettes and light effects. However, it should not be passed through.

The remainder of the route features a succession of rocks and steep underwater walls resting on large boulders and, once again, on Posidonia meadows. With a bit of luck, you may spot a pipefish, a species that blends perfectly into the seagrass.