wreck

Log This Dive

DOLORES

Dolores isn't one of those wrecks you just drop onto and poke around for a bit. This one's a proper adventure, a real dive. We're talking about a motor vessel, sunk back in '91, and she’s sitting deep, right on the edge of the continental shelf. Maximum depth runs to 60 metres, so this is definitely one for the experienced wreck divers, or those looking to expand their deep diving skills with the right training. The journey down to Dolores is part of the appeal. As you descend, the light fades, and the sheer size of the wreck starts to emerge from the blue. She lies upright, mostly intact, with a slight list to port. We love exploring the bridge area, though watch your buoyancy – silt can be easily stirred. The cargo holds are open, offering some fantastic penetration opportunities if you’re properly trained and equipped, revealing spaces now utterly colonised by sea life. You'll often find schooling jacks circling above the stern, and out on the railings, we’ve spotted moray eels peeking from every crevice. Visibility here can be excellent, often 20 metres or more, which makes the scale of Dolores even more impressive. It's a challenging dive, sure, but the reward is a quiet, profound exploration of a ship that’s become a vibrant, artificial reef.