Barcazas - Malpelo Island

Barcazas. Ah, Barcazas. This isn't your usual Malpelo rush of sharks, though we've certainly seen them cruise by. We come here for the wreck itself, a ghostly silhouette of a landing craft, slowly dissolving into the Pacific. We love dropping down into the relative calm here, watching the schools of French grunt and glassy sweepers melt around the structure, using it for shelter from the deeper currents. What's special? The way the light filters through the rust-eaten hull, illuminating the nooks where you'll spot common octopus peeking out or a cheeky spotjaw blenny guarding its territory. It's an exploration dive, a chance to really slow down and appreciate how marine life reclaims man-made structures. Our favourite move is to circle the exterior, keeping an eye out for a passing whale shark in the blue, then slip inside to marvel at the sheer density of cardinalfish that now call the Barcazas home. It's a surprisingly gentle dive for Malpelo, a real change of pace, best enjoyed on a calm day when you can really take your time.

Location
Malpelo Island, Colombia, South America
Coordinates
11.251956, -74.221855
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Barcazas

Vessel Type
barge
Cause
scuttled

In the world-renowned waters of Malpelo Island, the wrecks known simply as 'Las Barcazas' (The Barges) offer a curious man-made feature in an otherwise primal seascape. The exact origin of these sunken barges is murky, with theories suggesting they were either scuttled by the Colombian Navy for training or as artificial reefs, or perhaps were abandoned after being used in the construction of the island's remote research facilities and lighthouse. Whatever their story, they now lie on the rocky bottom, dwarfed by the grandeur of Malpelo's marine life.

Diving on these barges is less about the wrecks themselves and more about their location. They serve as a unique reference point and a temporary habitat for smaller reef fish, but the real show is always in the blue. As you explore the simple, decaying structures, remember to constantly scan your surroundings. Malpelo is a magnet for pelagic giants, and it's around these barges that divers often encounter the legendary schools of scalloped hammerheads, silky sharks, Galapagos sharks, and even the occasional whale shark passing through. The barges are a footnote in the epic logbook of a Malpelo dive.

Marine Protected Area: Tayrona

Best Time to Dive in Malpelo Island

The warmest water temperatures in Malpelo Island occur in October, averaging 30.2°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 28.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.2°C
  • February: 28.0°C
  • March: 28.3°C
  • April: 29.0°C
  • May: 29.7°C
  • June: 29.9°C
  • July: 29.4°C
  • August: 29.4°C
  • September: 29.9°C
  • October: 30.2°C
  • November: 29.4°C
  • December: 28.7°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Malpelo Island

Nearest Dive Centres to Barcazas

Marine Life in Malpelo Island

Home to 72 recorded species including 68 reef fish, 2 other, 1 hard corals, 1 sea cucumbers.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Barcazas

Based on average water temperature of 29.2°C, currents 14 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • 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