Barcazas

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.