wreck

Log This Dive

PINBALL CALIFORNIA

We’ll be upfront: Pinball California isn’t a deep dive. At a maximum of four metres, it’s more of a shallow exploration, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s not worth your time. This isn’t a beautiful, intact wreck, this is a dangerous wreck, an honest wreck that feels like a genuine piece of history. The *Pinball California* was a fishing trawler that ran aground in 1993, and over the years, the strong Atlantic waves have really broken it up, scattering its components across the seabed. What you get is a fascinating collection of twisted metal, boilers, and engine parts, all heavily encrusted and colonised by surprising amounts of life. We’ve spotted crabs scuttling amongst the wreckage, small schools of fish darting in and out of the crevices, and an abundance of anemones clinging to the corroded steel. It’s a photographer’s dream if you like abstract, atmospheric shots – the way the light filters through the shallow water and plays on the broken structures is really something. Our pick for timing is a calm day, early morning, when the visibility tends to be at its best and the sun is lower, casting those long, dramatic shadows. It’s perfect for newer divers looking for their first wreck experience without the intimidation of depth, or for experienced divers who appreciate the raw character of a working vessel reclaimed by the sea.