Barco Hundido - Malpelo Island

Barco Hundido, or "Sunken Ship," isn't your typical wreck dive. Forget your historical deep-sea behemoths. This site is the scattered remains of a small fishing trawler, probably a victim of Malpelo's notorious currents, now broken and spread across the rocky seabed. We’re talking more of an archaeological treasure hunt than a grand tour. What we love about Barco Hundido is how quickly life has reclaimed it. It’s not just a home for the usual reef fish, but a specific kind of ecosystem. Keep an eye out for the shy Red Clingfish, often tucked into crevices, or the territorial Roughhead Triplefin darting around the metallic fragments. We’ve spotted tiny Blackfin Cardinalfish schooling in the darker corners and the vibrant Honey Damselfish flitting among the coral growth that's begun to encrust the hull. You'll often find Caribbean reef sharks making lazy passes, too, just checking things out. The currents here can be lively, typical for Malpelo, so it suits divers comfortable with a drift and good buoyancy control. Our favourite time to dive it is early morning, just as the sun begins to really penetrate the water, illuminating the Goldball and Star Corals that have taken hold. It’s a compelling look at how quickly the ocean reclaims its own.

Location
Malpelo Island, Colombia, South America
Coordinates
12.532746, -81.691150
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15-30m

Wreck History - Barco Hundido

Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
unknown

In the wild and remote waters of Malpelo Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its massive congregations of sharks, lies a wreck known simply as “Barco Hundido.” While the vessel’s origins are unknown, it likely fell victim to the formidable currents and rocky pinnacles that define this Pacific outpost. For divers, the wreck itself is often a secondary attraction to the main event: the incredible pelagic life. The structure serves as a waypoint and cleaning station, attracting schooling fish and offering a resting place for marine life, but visitors should always keep an eye out in the blue for the schools of hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and silky sharks that make Malpelo a world-class diving destination.

Marine Protected Area: Jhonny Cay Regional Park

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 Barco Hundido

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 Barco Hundido

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