wreck

Log This Dive

El Condesito (Wreck)

We love a good shallow wreck, and El Condesito definitely delivers. This old freighter, just shy of 40 metres long, rests upright on a sandy bottom at 22 metres, making it incredibly accessible for newer divers. The bow is particularly photogenic, often swarming with schools of pompano that glitter in the sun. You can swim through the cargo holds, where the light filters down through gaping holes in the deck, creating an eerie, almost cathedral-like atmosphere. European parrotfish graze lazily on any algae growing on the metal, while Canary damsels flit in and out of the superstructure. Our favourite is spotting the Eastern Atlantic trumpetfish, long and camouflaged, often hiding vertically against the masts. Entry is usually a calm boat ride from shore. We always try to hit this site mid-morning; the sun angles just right into the holds then. While the pilot whales are a rare treat to see on the surface, it's the wreck itself, slowly dissolving into an artificial reef, that keeps us coming back. It’s a gentle introduction to wreck diving, but with enough character to keep more experienced divers happy too.