Cabo de San Antonio (Cueva del Nao) – Valencian Community – Costa Blanca & Columbretes
Site Overview
Cabo de San Antonio is a marine reserve near Jávea and Dénia whose steep limestone walls drop into clear water, and the Cueva del Nao is a large cavern glowing with glassfish. Groupers, barracuda and nudibranchs fill the reef, and the protected status keeps the marine life abundant. Intermediate divers explore the wall and the cavern mouth, while the surrounding coast offers easy boat access. Cabo de San Antonio is a jewel of the Costa Blanca. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season.
Dive Briefing
"Boat to the cape and descend along the limestone wall, peeking into the Cueva del Nao with a torch and watching for groupers. Follow the reef at 10-20 m, then ascend with a safety stop in open water. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable."
Signature Marine Life
Grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
Best: Year-round
Barracuda
Sphyraena viridensis
Best: Year-round
Glassfish
Parapristipoma spp.
Best: Year-round
Moray Eel
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch
Chromodoris spp.
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Overhead cavern section
- Current on the wall
- Depth and nitrogen management
- Boat traffic offshore
- Sun exposure
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Suited to Open Water divers and above who want limestone walls, a glassfish cavern and groupers in a reserve. It suits photographers and those seeking healthy Costa Blanca reef. Confident divers enjoy the deeper wall. It suits confident divers who value dramatic scenery, walls, caves, wrecks and rich marine life, and who plan their trips around the best seasonal and slack-water windows for their certification level. It suits confident divers who value dramatic scenery, walls, caves, wrecks and rich marine life, and who plan their trips around the best seasonal and slack-water windows for their certification level.
For Non-Divers
Non-divers can enjoy boat trips, coastal walks, beaches and local cuisine while divers explore the site.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Jávea Diving
- Cabo de San Antonio Dive
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Local Dive Lodge
Jávea • 3km away
Coastal Guesthouse
Jávea • 5km away