Port of Tarragona Unveils Spain's First 3D Digital Underwater Park

The Thalassa project uses 3D mapping of shipwrecks and marine habitats to boost diving safety and public awareness.

Generic image of a sunken ship on the seabed with a digital mapping representation.
IA

Generic image of a sunken ship on the seabed with a digital mapping representation.

The Port of Tarragona launched this February the first 3D digital replica of an underwater park in Spain, providing a virtual tool to explore sunken ships and marine ecosystems.

Developed by the Thalassa Underwater Heritage team, the project documented key elements at a depth of 24 meters. The digital map includes six shipwrecks, such as the Dragonera and Golf de Lleó, as well as submerged art pieces and large anchors. Divers can now use QR codes to study the site's morphology before diving.
Managed by the Underwater Explorations Society (SES) of Tarragona, the park has become a vital biodiversity sanctuary. Since its creation in 1995, over 552 species have been identified. In 2024, the Port Authority tripled the protected area to 10.8 hectares to ensure the preservation of this unique environment.
This pilot program is part of a broader effort to digitize Catalonia's underwater heritage. Similar work is underway in Palamós, focusing on the iconic Boreas shipwreck, and in l'Ametlla de Mar, aiming to preserve these maritime treasures for future generations.