BLANCO SOLER - Canary Islands

The *Blanco Soler* isn't one of those wrecks that’ll wow you with its sheer scale, but it’s got a real story, and that’s why we love it. This old fishing trawler, sunk intentionally in 2005, sits upright at a modest 17 meters, practically begging for a leisurely explore. We remember our first dive here, dropping down onto the deck, the light filtering through the mast, and feeling that distinct chill you get from swimming through a space that once had a very different purpose. It’s surprisingly intact, offering plenty to poke around in – the wheelhouse is a tight squeeze but totally worth a peek, and the cargo holds are open, forming dark caverns where the resident groupers lurk. Expect to see big schools of barracuda circling above the mast, their silver scales flashing in the sun, and the occasional stingray buried in the sand just off the stern. Our favourite part? The engine room. It’s pretty open, and the light plays off the rust-coloured machinery in a way that’s just mesmerising. It suits divers who appreciate a wreck with character, where you can take your time and soak in the atmosphere without fighting a current or worrying about depth. Go early, before the crowds, and you’ll have the place almost to yourself, the only sound the crunch of your own bubbles.

Location
Canary Islands, Spain, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
27.988167, -15.367778
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
17m

Wreck History - BLANCO SOLER

Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
scuttled

Unlike a vessel lost to tragedy, the Blanco Soler met a planned and purposeful end. After a long career as a fishing vessel navigating the waters around the Canary Islands, she was decommissioned and prepared for a new life beneath the waves. In 1986, she was deliberately scuttled off the coast of Gran Canaria to create an artificial reef, a project designed to foster marine biodiversity and provide a new destination for scuba divers.

Sitting upright on a sandy bottom at a maximum depth of 17 meters, the Blanco Soler is a perfect wreck for divers of all levels. The clear, calm waters provide excellent visibility, and the intact structure is easy to navigate. Over the decades, the wreck has transformed into a thriving ecosystem, its surfaces encrusted with sponges and corals. It is now home to a dense population of local marine life, including schools of roncardores (gruntfish), moray eels, and curious trumpetfish, making it a vibrant and rewarding dive site.

Marine Protected Area: Roque de Gando

Best Time to Dive in Canary Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Canary Islands occur in September, averaging 23.7°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 19.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 20.1°C
  • February: 19.5°C
  • March: 19.3°C
  • April: 19.8°C
  • May: 20.6°C
  • June: 21.8°C
  • July: 22.6°C
  • August: 23.1°C
  • September: 23.7°C
  • October: 23.5°C
  • November: 22.4°C
  • December: 21.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Canary Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to BLANCO SOLER

Marine Life in Canary Islands

Home to 80 recorded species including 50 reef fish, 9 whales & dolphins, 8 sharks & rays, 2 octopus & squid, 2 crabs & lobsters, 2 worms.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for BLANCO SOLER

Based on average water temperature of 21.5°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 21°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