Barco Encayado
Protected Area
Ventilas Hidrotermales de la Cuenca de Guaymas y de la Dorsal del Pacífico Oriental
Why dive here
With 195+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue whales, dolphins, humpback whales, nurse sharks and orcas - Barco Encayado offers some of Sea of Cortez's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 21-31°C, warmest August, September, October.
Barco Encayado, or "Stranded Ship", is one of our favourite wreck dives in the Sea of Cortez. It’s an old wooden fishing boat, probably from the 1940s, sitting upright in about 10 meters of water. We love the way the light filters through the shallow water, illuminating the hull and the schools of baitfish that swirl around it. You can swim right through the wheelhouse and peek into the hold, which is now home to green moray eels and grumpy-looking scorpionfish. The wreck itself is slowly disintegrating, but that’s part of its charm; it’s a living reef now, covered in colourful sponges and small hard corals. We’ve seen octopuses tucked into crevices, their eyes watching us as we fin past. This site is brilliant for photographers, especially macro shooters, and because it’s so shallow, you get a good long bottom time. It’s an easy, relaxed dive, perfect for a second dive of the day or for divers who want to take their time exploring.
Typical Barco Encayado Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Barco Encayado Wreck History
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
grounding
Its name, 'Barco Encayado,' literally translates to 'Grounded Ship,' telling the simple story of its demise. This wreck, thought to be a former fishing vessel, met its end by running aground on a reef in the bountiful Sea of Cortez. The specific history of the vessel and its crew may be lost, but its legacy continues as a thriving artificial reef. Its shallow position and the typically clear, calm waters of the area make it an excellent dive for novices and photographers alike.
The wreck itself has become completely integrated into the marine environment, which is the true star of the show in the Sea of Cortez. Divers can expect to be surrounded by the incredible biodiversity the region is famous for. The structure is a magnet for life, providing shelter for moray eels, blennies, and countless crustaceans. Swirling schools of jacks and sergeant majors are common sights, and the wreck's surfaces are often decorated with colorful sea fans and sponges.
Nearest Dive Centres to Barco Encayado
Dive shops near Barco Encayado
CERRALVO DIVERS
Cabo Pulmo Divers
Sea Lions Dive Center
Hipoxia Freediving
The Cortez Club
Dive in la Paz
Reviews for Barco Encayado
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Barco Encayado
Barco Encayado Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Barco Encayado, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (24.05, -109.87) (22km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
85°F · Range: 28.3–31.6°C
Current Speed
7.81 cm/s
Direction: NW (309.8°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.114 mg/m³
Clear water
Salinity
34.65 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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