Cave diving in Alicante and Murcia
Two serious caves – the Cova del Moraig near Benitatxell (brackish, >3 km, to ~-100 m) and the thermal maze of the Cueva del Agua at Isla Plana (29–31 °C, >7 km) – plus easy sea caves around Cabo Tiñoso, Cabo Cope and Tabarca.
7 caves · down to 100 m · 4 suitable for an intro team
All 7 caves
| Site | Max depth | Type | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cova del Llop Marí (Tabarca) | 4 m | Not known yet | Open water / no overhead |
| Cova del Moraig | 100 m | Sidemount | Full cave |
| Cueva de la Virgen (Cabo Cope) | 25 m | Not known yet | Open water / no overhead |
| Cueva de Neptuno (Cueva de la Virgen) | 15 m | Backmount | Cavern |
| Cueva del Agua (Isla Plana) | 34 m | Sidemount | Full cave |
| Cueva del Lago | 12 m | Backmount | Open water / no overhead |
| Sima Destapada | 25 m | Small cylinders / no-mount | Full cave |
Certification requirements, configurations and trimix depths are estimates for planning. Always check them locally and dive within your training.
Practical info: rules, fills and emergency numbers
Emergencies
- 112. DAN Europe: +39 06 4211 5685.
- Hyperbaric chamber 24/7: Unidad Médica Hiperbárica, C/ Españoleto 13, 30204 Cartagena, tel. +34 968 081 160 / +34 968 330 033. Valencia area: Instituto de Medicina Hiperbárica, C/ Emparrado 3, 46920 Mislata, tel. +34 963 134 111 (ask about 24-hour availability).
Access and rules
- No permit system for cave diving: the Cueva del Agua and the Cova del Moraig are freely accessible. After the fatal accident of January 2025 a working group (Guardia Civil, firefighters, diving clubs, experts) is looking at measures for the Cueva del Agua – rules may change.
- Marine reserves: Cabo Tiñoso (since 2016/2017) – in most zones diving only with prior authorisation, partly an integral reserve; Tabarca (since 1986) – prior authorisation, no diving in the integral zone beyond La Nao islet. Local dive centres arrange the authorisation.
Water and season
- Cueva del Agua and Sima Destapada: water 29–31 °C, diveable all year – thin wetsuit, drink enough and watch for overheating.
Getting around
- Cala del Moraig (Benitatxell): parking is regulated from 1 April to 15 October – check the conditions with the town hall.
- The sites are far apart: the Moraig is ~2 h drive from Cartagena; plan it as a separate part of the trip (base Moraira or Xàbia).
Good to know
- Guiding and training: Divergente Buceo (Isla Plana) guides in the Cueva del Agua and runs cave and sidemount courses; Rivemar (La Azohía) is a trimix and CCR training centre. No CCR or scooter rental found – ask.
Plan a cave diving trip to Alicante and Murcia
Enter your team, with certifications, gas and configurations, and see right away which caves fit. With driving times from your stay, fill stations and an AI instructor who thinks along.
Compiled from web research (Alicante province cave catalogue, CENM catastro and Grupo Cueva del Agua in Murcia, Benitatxell town hall, Región de Murcia tourism, MAPA/BOE, caving clubs, dive centres and news; Sept 2026). Pins from caving catalogues (converted from ED50) and OpenStreetMap; ~ = estimate. Rules change – check locally.