Sharks in Denia??

[Adam_UK]

Does anyone know which species of shark are local to the Denia area of the Costa Blanca? I'm going there on Saturday for a week of diving the coves, and I'd like to know what I could likely encounter there. Although I always expect the unexpected too! Anyone had any experiences diving here?

Anything else I need to be aware of diving this area?


Thanks
Adam

[Spaniard]

There are no sharks in Denia or any part of Costa Blanca. There is precious little of anything in terms of fish life although there is a marine reserve which start just past Javea Port but I'm not sure if it extends all the way round to Denia. Vizibility is usually good at this time of year but I'm afraid the commercial fishermen have all but destroyed inshore fisheries! The only sharks you might find are in the deep trench which if you swim for about 8 hours straight out towards Ibiza from Denia you will find! Remember that you cannot spear in the marine reserves and the local authorities will come down hard on you if you do! Good luck.

[Adam_UK]

Thanks for your reply.
I'm not going spearing, just underwater photography, videos and genreal recreational freediving.
So the best place for freediving this would be Javea?

Thanks again
Adam

[Spaniard]

You can enter the water by the breakwater at Javea Port and swim round cabo de la nao in the direction of Denia. This area has been a Marine reserve for a number of years so you should see some sea-life, even some grouper if you are lucky! Like I said earlier, viz should be fine although weather has been crap over the last couple of weeks!

[Adam_UK]

Thanks for the info.....I appreciate it.


Adam

[IanAHaley]

Hi Adam,

My father-in-law has a house in Javea, so I know the area very well. So here's my potted guide to recreational freediving spots in the area:

Cabo de San Antonio.
This is the big promontory that separates Javea and Denia and has the marine reserve. Pretty good, especially right out at the tip, where it gets nice and deep very close to the cliff. It is a bit of a swim from 'civilization', but there are plenty of little caves along the way to keep you amused. The little cafe at Playa del Pope is perfect for a post-freedive beer.

The 'main drag' between Javea port and Arenal. Forget it - nothing.

Cala Blanca
At the other end of the bay from Javea Port, beyond Arenal. OK. Not that deep and requires a fair surface swim to get to the interesting bits. The section towards Cala Sardinera seems quite popular with the local spearos.
I discoverd a nice swim-though at about 10m that was home to a friendly octopus.

Playa del Portixol
If you like exploring caves, this is the place. There are a couple of really big ones on the south side of the bay - big enough to get a small boat in. Best if you explore these early in the day, before the jet-ski tours show up. Take a torch.

Around Cabo de la Nao
Never freedived around here, because you need a boat - it's too far/too exposed to contemplate a surface swim. However I have scuba-dived and reckon it would be great for freediving. in particular the channel between Ambolo and Isla del Descubridor. It's on my 'must try' list.

Granadella
My favourite place. A little narrow bay, very pretty. I like it not because it's deep (don't think I've managed to find anywhere much beyond 15m) but because it's full of little caves, swim-throughs, canyons, etc. You can spend ages just bimbling about and exploring. Ignore the sandy bottom in the middle of the bay (unless you want to wave hello to the scuba trainees practising their mask removal). Follow the edge of the bay on the left or right hand side. A popular spot with the local spearos. Nice little restaurant for lunch.

Cala Los Tiestos
Finally, something a bit 'different' This is a small bay you get to by driving through the Cumbre del Sol "urbanisacion". Enter the sea by the car park and swim 200m or so to the right. There is a section where the cliff has eroded away a good 5m back from the face just under the surface. You can remove you fins and weightbelt and stand upside down and 'walk' along the underhang. Pretty cool.

Have a great time - it's a lovely part of the world.

Ian.

[Adam_UK]

WOW! Thanks, Ian.....that covers everything. Thanks for posting all that info...I'm going to print it off and take it with me.

Hopefully I'll be able to get some good shots/videos of the local marine life.

This is the first time I've taken my Cressi Garas on a plane, though....so I'm hoping they survive the journey!


Thanks again
Adam

[Adrian]

Adam,
I took my Garas to Miami from Spain as carry-on with no problems. I taped the two fins together for easier handling and bending them a little they fit perfectly into the compartment. All the security people were fascinated by them - and a customs agent at arrival commented she also dove. Then she turned serious and asked me if the bag her drug dog was sniffing was mine, luckily it wasn't, but I'm left with the curiosity as to what was in that bag! Anyway, you'll find them great conservation pieces!

[Adam_UK]

LOL. Actually, I thought I'd have to check them in with my suitcase. I didn't think they'd fit into the overhead. That's good news if I can take them onboard with me!

Thanks
Adam

[IanAHaley]

Depends on the airline - some do, some don't. Actually I'll rephrase that, it depends on what kind of day the airline staff are having. Catch them on a bad day and they'll insist the fins go in the hold.

One of the best kit investments I ever made was a Martin Stepanek freediving bag (you can order one via his website). It's just long enough to take a pair of Gara 3000LD's and you can easily get all the rest of your freediving kit, plus a week's clothes, in there too. It's sturdy and well-made, so no worries about checking it in.

Ian.

[Adam_UK]

OK, I'm going with the assumption I'll have to check them in (they're in a Spetton fins bag), but if I can carry them on it's a bonus.

Adam