DON ADAN - Lake Atitlan
Don Adan isn’t your typical Caribbean wreck dive. Forget warm, blue water and colourful corals. This is Lake Atitlan, a high-altitude volcanic lake, and diving here is a different beast entirely. We love Don Adan because it’s a tangible piece of local history, sitting in a freshwater environment that feels incredibly unique. The wreck itself, a fishing vessel sunk back in ’89, is surprisingly intact for its age and the fresh water has preserved it well. When you drop down, the visibility varies – sometimes it’s 10 metres, sometimes less – but the water temperature hovers around a crisp 20°C. You’ll find the hull is covered in a fine layer of algae, giving it a slightly ghostly appearance. Our favourite part is exploring the deck, where fishing gear still lies scattered, and peeking into the wheelhouse. Keep an eye out for the freshwater crabs that scuttle across the metal and the small schools of *mojarra* that dart in and out of the shadows. This is a dive for those who appreciate history, a bit of mystery, and don’t mind a cooler, darker experience. It’s perfect for divers looking for something truly off the beaten path, away from the usual ocean sites.
- Location
- Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, Central America
- Coordinates
- 14.500000, -92.183334
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 0m
Best Time to Dive in Lake Atitlan
The warmest water temperatures in Lake Atitlan occur in January, averaging 28.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.4°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.4°C (air: 17.9°C)
- February: 28.4°C (air: 18.3°C)
- March: 28.4°C (air: 18.7°C)
- April: 28.4°C (air: 19.2°C)
- May: 28.4°C (air: 19.4°C)
- June: 28.4°C (air: 18.7°C)
- July: 28.4°C (air: 19.3°C)
- August: 28.4°C (air: 19.2°C)
- September: 28.4°C (air: 18.9°C)
- October: 28.4°C (air: 18.8°C)
- November: 28.4°C (air: 18.3°C)
- December: 28.4°C (air: 17.8°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Lake Atitlan
- Agua Caliente
- Agua Caliente (cave)
- Casa del Mundo (cave)
- JUPITER A. - 2m (wreck)
- ORIENTAL ARGOSY - 5m (wreck)
- Samabaj - 15-30m
- San Buenaventura - 5-20m
Nearest Dive Centres to DON ADAN
- ATI Diving
- Pana Divers - ["PADI"]
- Pro Diver - Escuela Profesional de Buceo - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Lake Atitlan
Home to 2 recorded species including 1 other, 1 reef fish.
Notable Species
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Mozambique mouth-breeder (Oreochromis mossambicus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for DON ADAN
Based on average water temperature of 28.4°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories