Gibraltar might be a small territory but in terms of dive sites, this little point of land has plenty to offer divers new and experienced alike. Camp Bay, which is also known as El Quarry, nestles along the territory’s scenic west coast; the historic Parson’s Lodge Battery overlooks its northern end. Camp Bay’s main claim to fame is its artificial reef, which is Europe’s first. Concerns over the area’s lack of marine wildlife led local activists to seek a solution; at first, they tried sinking cars; later, they began sinking ships. Today, Camp Bay serves not just as a haven for marine life, but as a popular diving destination.
The 428 Barge
Arguably one of the best dive sites Gibraltar has to offer, the 428 was a naval cable barge that reached the end of its hardworking topside life in 1990. Scuttled in Camp Bay after being cleansed of hazardous materials, the 428 barge sits upright at a depth of just 17 meters. Thirty meters in length and home to a huge variety of fish large and small as well as a fantastic array of invertebrates and crustaceans including spider crabs, octopus, cuttlefish, pipefish, and many others, the 428 is a very popular site for underwater photography. Though this old barge was not prepped for divers prior to being deployed as an artificial reef, she can be penetrated by divers who possess the proper training and the right equipment. Inside 428’s mysterious hull, you’ll find a massive engine that is curiously out of proportion to the barge herself – a last will and testament to her hardworking stint as a mooring vessel.
The Camp Bay Conservation Site
If you love the idea of kitting up and walking right into the ocean from the beach, then you will certainly enjoy Gibraltar’s Camp Bay Conservation Site. Extending all the way from the beachfront to a depth of just 19 meters, this site is one of the most popular in the entire region, including Spain’s Costa Del Sol. For more than thirty years, dedicated conservationists have been adding features to provide much needed habitat for marine life; at the same time, this group of eleven fantastic wrecks provides divers with a fun place to train and expand skills. Local dive shops hold Advanced Open Water courses here, as well as PADI specialty courses. If you’re looking for a place to gain proficiency in wreck diving, you can take a Wreck Diver specialty course here; if you wish you had a better handle on identifying marine life, you’re in luck – Project Aware Fish ID courses are held here as well. If you have just a limited amount of time to dive in Gibraltar, consider making this your go-to site. Despite shallow depth and easy access, it’s one of those magical places you will find yourself daydreaming about once you’re finished with your holiday.
Once you’re finished diving Camp Bay, spend at least a little time exploring Parson’s Lodge Battery. After the British took possession of Gibraltar in 1704, they began preparing a defensive position that has served as an important fortress for well over three hundred years. With personnel shelters, old gun battery sites, and much more, this is a stunning piece of history you won’t want to miss. The Gibraltar Museum has a field center located here, and the site’s position makes it the perfect place to capture scenic photos of Camp Bay and nearby Rosia Bay. So grab your favorite dive buddy, charge up your camera, and head to Gibraltar. Camp Bay never fails to impress.