wreck

Log This Dive

BAILEN

The Bailen wreck is a funny old thing, sitting shallow off Las Palmas. We love it because it’s a proper piece of history, a tanker that came to grief back in '56. It’s a dangerous wreck, officially, but that’s mostly because it’s so broken up, spread out in about five metres of water. You're not going deep here, obviously. What you get is a field of metal, twisted plates, and huge sections of hull. It feels like an archaeological dig, tracing the outline of something massive that’s been consumed by the ocean. Shoals of barracuda often hang around the bigger pieces, glinting in the shafts of sunlight that cut through the water. We’ve seen massive Atlantic groupers hiding out in the deeper crevices, almost blending in with the rusted steel. Look closely at the smaller fragments; the nudibranchs here are surprisingly vibrant, little splashes of colour against the dull metal. It’s an easy, relaxed dive, perfect for photographers who want to spend time finding those intricate details, or for anyone who just enjoys the quiet reverence of a historical site. Our favourite time to go is late morning, before the sun gets too high, when the light plays just right on the scattered remains.