Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on May 2, 2021
With its crystal clear waters, arid cliffs, and an old lighthouse, Cala Fría is certainly the most photogenic beach in Cabo de Palos. The cove is rather deep and visited by predators such as dentex, gilt-head bream, and European seabass. If you prefer snorkeling in shallow water, go to Cala Túnez, 250m away.
Cala Fría (or Calafría) beach is located on the tip of Cabo de Palos, at the foot of the lighthouse. There are several parking lots nearby (just above the creek, or on the left just before you get to the lighthouse). Stairs lead down to the cove.
You can enter the water anywhere you want from the beach.
Well sheltered by rocks, you can snorkel in the entire cove. Cala Fría is quite deep: just a few tens of meters from the beach, the depth quickly reaches 12 to 18ft (4 to 6m). The seabed forms sandy slopes, punctuated by rocks and Posidonia meadows.
Located on the edge of the Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas Marine Reserve, Cala Fría is a good spot to observe coastal predators such as dentex, gilt-head bream, and European seabass. These species are quite common in the deep areas of the creek, although large specimens are rarely seen.
At the foot of the small cliffs that border the cove, there are shallower areas, covered with scree and seagrass. Sargo, two-banded seabream, mullet, and salema are common here. On the rocks, notice the many sponges.
Cala Fría is a fairly busy scuba diving site. Keep an eye out for boats coming and going in the cove.
The small restaurant Chiringuito Verano Azul overlooks the cove. You will find a wide choice of snacks, restaurants and supermarkets around Cabo de Palos port, just a 5-minute drive away.
These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
