arrabidaparquemarinho.ualg.pt · Official
Official marine-park history and zoning context
Dive Spot Guide•
Catrapona
Exposed offshore shoal near Sesimbra with rocky walls and gorgonians.
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Local operator required
Boat trips and access are handled through local Sesimbra dive centers that know the park rules.
Boat dive with exposed Atlantic water, vertical relief, cave galleries, and gorgonian-rich rock; best on calmer days with experienced divers.
About Catrapona
Catrapona is a rugged offshore shoal on the Cape Espichel side of Sesimbra, reached by boat and best for divers comfortable with exposed Atlantic conditions. The site mixes vertical rock, cave galleries, and gorgonian-covered slopes, with routes that reward calm-day planning, solid buoyancy, and a bit more experience. It is a strong fit for teams that can read the forecast and dive conservatively.
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Research Estimate At Catrapona
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
AccessModerate entry effort
CoralMixed health
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
SurgeStrong surge
Where Is Catrapona?
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Community sourced coordinates.
Catrapona Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
20m - 47m
Depth Note
Independent guides place the shoal from about 20 m to the upper 40s, with a deeper technical cave section.
Best Season
Spring to early autumn
Typical Conditions
Exposed Atlantic conditions with wind and wave action year-round; calmer sea days are the practical choice.
Safety & Access At Catrapona
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Waves
Safety Notes
Pick calm days, keep within training limits, and treat the deeper cave section as technical-only.
Access Restrictions
Boat-only offshore site north of Cabo Espichel; exposed conditions make a local operator the practical choice.
Legal Notes
The site sits inside the Professor Luiz Saldanha Marine Park, where diving follows zone rules and organized groups may require permission.
Local Intel For Catrapona
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Boat-accessed wall and cave dive with routes for experienced recreational divers; the deepest cave section is technical-only.
Freediving
Not a routine freedive target; the site is deep, exposed, and geared to scuba and technical diving.
Snorkeling
Not a practical snorkel site; the main structure sits well below the surface.
Recent Logged Visits At Catrapona
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Catrapona
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
No community dive data has been logged here yet. Be the first to record a dive and seed the averages.
