Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
Divers exploring underwater wreckage during a deep ocean scuba dive.
📷 Maël BALLAND · Pexels

CB Alphasub

3.8 — based on 15 community signals
4.3 12 species 31 contributors

CB Alphasub is a year-round dive site in Spain's protected Cabo de Gata-Níjar natural park, offering access to diverse marine life in a marine reserve.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Ní… updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPAFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
CB Alphasub location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
10.9 kn
Wave
0.78 m
Water
25.1°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NE (54%)
Now: NE (35°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.25m

Next: Low at 02:00 (-0.49m)

+-0.4 m-0.6 m
▼ 02:00 · -0.49m ▲ 10:00 · -0.4m ▼ 13:00 · -0.43m ▲ 17:00 · -0.37m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV5.9 · mod Air PM2.54 · good 07:53 20:10
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 19.5 1.16 6 0mm
09-20 18.9 1.16 6 0mm
09-21 12.8 1 6 0mm
09-22 6 0.56 6 0mm
09-23 5.3 0.36 6 0mm
09-24 5.3 0.24 6 0mm
09-25 5.2 0.4 6 0mm

About this spot

CB Alphasub sits within the Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Níjar, one of Spain's most important marine protected areas. Located near San José, this site benefits from strict conservation measures that support healthy reef and rocky habitats. The protected status means fewer divers and stronger marine communities, making it an excellent choice for those seeking untouched underwater terrain. Diving here gives you access to a working marine reserve where regulations help maintain biodiversity. The site attracts divers year-round, with stable conditions allowing visits across all seasons. Local species observations have documented 12 distinct marine animals in the area, indicating solid fish and invertebrate populations. The mix of rocky outcrops and reef structure creates interesting topography for exploration. Whether you're interested in macro life or larger pelagics, the protected habitat supports a range of sizes and species. Access requires respect for park rules and regulations. The Cabo de Gata-Níjar park management enforces dive protocols to keep the site pristine. Plan ahead and confirm current access requirements before traveling. The reserve's reputation for conservation means you're diving in one of Spain's most carefully managed underwater zones, which directly benefits the quality of your dive experience.

📖 Guide: Diving in Spain: 91 Sites From Kelp Forests to Barracuda Walls

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

ReefShore

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/F · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 1641km · ~377kg · €7

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 77/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 7h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 6h east · 4 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive CB Alphasub?

CB Alphasub is diveable year-round, so you can plan a trip based on your schedule. However, check current weather and sea conditions before booking, as seasonal swells and visibility can vary.

What marine life can you see here?

The site hosts 12 documented species observations, ranging from small reef fish and invertebrates to larger mobile species. The protected park status supports healthy populations across the food web.

Do I need permits to dive CB Alphasub?

Yes. CB Alphasub lies within the Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Níjar marine protected area. You must follow park regulations and may need permits or must dive with an authorized operator. Confirm requirements with local authorities before your visit.

What makes CB Alphasub special?

Its location inside a protected marine reserve means stricter conservation and fewer divers. This results in healthier marine communities and pristine conditions compared to heavily trafficked sites.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

56 records · 40 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Pelagia noctiluca

Scyphozoa · Pelagiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
18 Aug 2016
×1records

Chlorotocus crassicornis

Malacostraca · Pandalidae
OBIS
Last seen:
7 May 2015
×1records
Depth:
293 m

Globicephala melas

Long-finned pilot whale
Mammalia · Delphinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
18 Aug 2011
×1records

Globicephala melas

Long-finned pilot whale
Mammalia · Delphinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
20 Aug 2009
×1records

Octopus vulgaris

Cephalopoda · Octopodidae
OBIS
Last seen:
12 Apr 2009
×2records
Depth:
48–207 m

Pasiphaea sivado

Malacostraca · Pasiphaeidae
OBIS
Last seen:
12 Apr 2009
×1records
Depth:
350 m

Solenocera membranacea

Malacostraca · Solenoceridae
OBIS
Last seen:
12 Apr 2009
×1records
Depth:
531 m

Alloteuthis media

Cephalopoda · Loliginidae
OBIS
Last seen:
11 Apr 2009
×2records
Depth:
48–82 m

Inachus dorsettensis

Malacostraca · Inachidae
OBIS
Last seen:
11 Apr 2009
×1records
Depth:
82 m

Inachus communissimus

Malacostraca · Inachidae
OBIS
Last seen:
11 Apr 2009
×1records
Depth:
48 m

Goneplax rhomboides

Malacostraca · Goneplacidae
OBIS
Last seen:
11 Apr 2009
×1records
Depth:
48 m

Scyliorhinus canicula

Elasmobranchii · Scyliorhinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
11 Apr 2009
×1records
Depth:
82 m

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "Forwarding anonymous report from #mapycom user, please verify: Correct name is ''Poblado minero de Rodalquilar''."

    Pan Perníček · 2026-03-24
  • "From this point, access for vehicles prohibited #CoMaps android 2026.01.24-5-FDroid"

    Noxis! · 2026-02-07

Nearby spots

CB iSub Spain Diving
🇪🇸 Spain

CB iSub

CB iSub is a year-round dive site in Spain's Cabo de Gata-Níjar natural park, protected waters with solid species diversity and community footage.

Beginner
CB Almasub Spain Diving
🇪🇸 Spain

CB Almasub

CB Almasub near Las Martinicas offers year-round diving in Spain with documented marine species observations.

Cala Cerrada Spain Diving
🇪🇸 Spain

Cala Cerrada

Cala Cerrada is a year-round Spanish dive site with documented marine species and community footage.

Beginner

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Cala Roja- Cabo de Palos Spain Diving
🇪🇸 Spain

Cala Roja- Cabo de Palos

Cala Roja at Cabo de Palos is a year-round Spanish Mediterranean dive site with rich marine life and documented species diversity.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Buceo Costa Nerja Spain Diving
🇪🇸 Spain

Buceo Costa Nerja

Year-round diving on Spain's Costa del Sol near Nerja, with 12 documented species and easy coastal access.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
CB Costa Campello Spain Diving
🇪🇸 Spain

CB Costa Campello

CB Costa Campello is a year-round dive destination off El Campello, Spain, with 12 documented species observations and accessible underwater exploration.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
DIVE&DIVE Centro de Buceo Spain Diving
🇪🇸 Spain

DIVE&DIVE Centro de Buceo

DIVE&DIVE Centro de Buceo offers year-round diving near Penyal d'Ifac Natural Park in Spain. Access rich marine habitat with 12 recorded species observations.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+

Suggest an operator

Know a great dive shop, kite school, or local guide at this spot? Tell us — we'll review and add it.

Up to 500 characters
Plan
View →