Catrapona
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Location
Sesimbra
Dive Type
TEK
Dive Site
Sea
What you will see
Canyons, Cave galleries, Flora, Restrictions, Rock Formations, Sea Life
Average Depth:
40mts
Maximum Depth:
47mts
Water Temperature:
16ºC-20º
Catrapona is a popular spot for both recreational and technical divers in the Sesimbra area. It is located North of Cabo Espichel and thus exposed to prevalent waves and winds that normally hit the Portuguese occidental coast all year round.
When the conditions are good, it's a place one must try to visit repeatedly. You will encounter a vertical wall, starting at around 34mts and going down to 47mts where a bright sandy bottom reflects some light coming from the surface. Innumerous Redfish, gorgonians and scattered hard corals, some yellow and some orange, will pleasantly surprise the typical North Atlantic diver, not used to encounter so much color and diversity in these cold waters. Schools of tropical-like fish, called Anthia, with long dorsal fins and magnificent bright pink coloration will also add to the feeling that you are in some tropical sea elsewhere in the world.
There is a small cave at the very bottom, only accessible by technical divers. Inside, you can find dozens of small lobsters walking around in the ceiling and if you are lucky, an ever-growing Grouper that calls this spot its home. Some big Conger eels can be found there occasionally as well.
-- Spot description by Pedro Lage
-- Photos by: Claudio Dias, Miguel Miranda, Pedro Afonso, Pedro Bernardo and Rui Guerra
Back
When the conditions are good, it's a place one must try to visit repeatedly. You will encounter a vertical wall, starting at around 34mts and going down to 47mts where a bright sandy bottom reflects some light coming from the surface. Innumerous Redfish, gorgonians and scattered hard corals, some yellow and some orange, will pleasantly surprise the typical North Atlantic diver, not used to encounter so much color and diversity in these cold waters. Schools of tropical-like fish, called Anthia, with long dorsal fins and magnificent bright pink coloration will also add to the feeling that you are in some tropical sea elsewhere in the world.
There is a small cave at the very bottom, only accessible by technical divers. Inside, you can find dozens of small lobsters walking around in the ceiling and if you are lucky, an ever-growing Grouper that calls this spot its home. Some big Conger eels can be found there occasionally as well.
-- Spot description by Pedro Lage
-- Photos by: Claudio Dias, Miguel Miranda, Pedro Afonso, Pedro Bernardo and Rui Guerra