Barcos de Burriana - Balearic Islands

Ah, Barcos de Burriana. This isn't your typical Spanish Med dive. We’re talking about a cluster of fishing boats, deliberately scuttled back in the 1990s to create an artificial reef. It’s a fascinating, almost ghostly scene down there, with the hulls settling into the sand at around 20 metres. What we love about Burriana is the sheer scale of the playground. You can weave through the skeletal remains of several vessels, some with their rigging still partially intact, creating intricate swim-throughs. Sunlight filters down, playing off the encrusting sponges and anemones that have really taken hold. You’ll spot schools of damselfish flitting nervously in and out of the wheelhouses, and moray eels are practically guaranteed residents in the nooks and crannies. We’ve even seen small eagle rays cruising by on occasion. It’s a relatively easy dive, perfect for advanced open water divers looking for a bit of wreck exploration without the extreme depths or currents often associated with historical wrecks. Our favourite moment is always that first glimpse of the silhouettes emerging from the blue – a reminder of human endeavours slowly reclaimed by the sea.

Location
Balearic Islands, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
39.816666, -0.050000
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Barcos de Burriana

Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
scuttled

The dive site known as “Barcos de Burriana” near the Balearic Islands refers to two vessels resting close to each other on the seabed. Believed to be small cargo ships or freighters, they were intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef, a common practice to boost marine ecosystems and create new points of interest for divers. Lying on a sandy bottom, the two wrecks have become an oasis for marine life in the Mediterranean. Divers can explore both structures in a single dive, moving from one to the next. The holds and superstructures are now home to conger and moray eels, scorpionfish, and octopuses, while schools of damselfish and bream swarm above the decks.

Marine Protected Area: Alguers de Borriana-Nules-Moncofa

Best Time to Dive in Balearic Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Balearic Islands occur in August, averaging 27.4°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 14.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 15.3°C
  • February: 14.8°C
  • March: 15.2°C
  • April: 16.4°C
  • May: 19.3°C
  • June: 22.5°C
  • July: 26.2°C
  • August: 27.4°C
  • September: 25.9°C
  • October: 23.4°C
  • November: 19.6°C
  • December: 16.5°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Balearic Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Barcos de Burriana

Marine Life in Balearic Islands

Home to 150 recorded species including 110 reef fish, 11 octopus & squid, 11 sharks & rays, 5 whales & dolphins, 4 crabs & lobsters, 3 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Barcos de Burriana

Based on average water temperature of 20.2°C, currents 12 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 20°C water
  • 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