wreck

Log This Dive

Le Maraudeur B26

We’ll be honest, the Maraudeur B26 isn’t one of those big, dramatic wrecks that grab headlines, but we love it for its quiet charm and accessibility. This old Dornier 24 flying boat, brought down in 1944, lies in three main sections, spread across a sandy bottom, about 25 metres down. You drop onto the starboard wing first, then follow the debris field to the central fuselage, where you can still make out the cockpit. The real joy here is exploring the smaller pieces – an engine, the tail section with its distinctive twin rudders – all now heavily encrusted with red gorgonian corals and sponges. It’s a fantastic site for photographers, especially macro fans, because the wreck parts are absolutely covered in nudibranchs, small blennies, and some really chunky scorpionfish that blend in perfectly. We always see conger eels peeking out from under the larger metal plates, and often schools of damselfish flitting through the corroded framework. Our favourite moment is swimming through the main fuselage section; the light plays beautifully through the breaks in the metal. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for those newer to wreck diving or anyone who appreciates the subtle beauty of history reclaimed by the sea.