BARKLA
Protected Area
淡水河紅樹林自然保留區
Why dive here
BARKLA is a wreck dive in Northeast Coast, Taiwan.
The Barkla, resting just four metres deep, is less a dive and more an underwater history lesson you can snorkel over, or, better yet, free dive down to. We love this site because it’s so accessible, making it a brilliant spot for those days when you just want to get wet without hauling all your gear, or for introducing newer divers to the magic of a wreck. This old bulk carrier, scuttled in ‘87 while on its way to be scrapped, has become a home to so many critters, almost as if it dodged its fate to become a living reef instead. You'll spend your time here exploring the broken hull, watching schools of juvenile snapper dart in and out of the metal plates. Look for the nudibranchs inching across the encrusted beams; we’ve spotted some truly striking specimens here, bright splashes of colour against the rust. The sheer size of the Barkla, even with much of it salvaged, is impressive at this shallow depth, and on a calm day, the visibility lets you take in large sections of the structure from the surface. It’s a gentle introduction to wreck diving, perfect for honing buoyancy or just enjoying a relaxed float over a piece of maritime history.
Typical BARKLA Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
BARKLA Wreck History
Year Sunk
1987
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
The Barkla was a British-built bulk carrier that met a dramatic end on the northeast coast of Taiwan. Launched in 1966 from the famed Austin & Pickersgill shipyard in Sunderland, she served for two decades under various owners. In October 1987, while owned by Wah Han Shipping Inc., the Barkla was on a passage from Jakarta to the Taiwanese ports of Keelung and Kaohsiung, laden with a cargo of logs.
Her final voyage coincided with the arrival of the ferocious Typhoon Lynn. Battered by monumental waves and powerful winds, the vessel was driven aground and ultimately lost on October 24, 1987. Today, the Barkla lies in extremely shallow water, with a maximum depth of just 4 meters. This makes it an incredibly accessible wreck, perfect for novice divers and snorkelers. The wreckage is broken and scattered, a powerful reminder of the typhoon's force, and is now home to a vibrant array of local marine life that has colonized the twisted metal.
Nearest Dive Centres to BARKLA
Dive shops near BARKLA
PACIFIC DIVE CENTER
Nereus Dive Center
1988 Diver Training Center
52 Long Dong
Big Blue
東北角潛水客棧
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BARKLA
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