EL AGUILA
Protected Area
Isla de Salamanca
Why dive here
With 517+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue sharks, dolphins, eagle rays and hammerhead sharks - EL AGUILA offers some of Santa Marta & Tayrona's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest June, July, September.
El Aguila, a former cargo ship, was intentionally sunk back in 1980, so it’s had plenty of time to become a proper artificial reef. And it shows. We love a wreck that’s truly integrated with its surroundings, and this one delivers. Dropping down, you’ll find the entire structure coated in sponges and gorgonians, a riot of colour against the ship’s aging metal. The stern is our favourite part, with barracudas often hanging out in the gloom, eyeing you up as you pass. Inside the cargo holds, schools of snapper drift lazily, occasionally parting as a grumpy moray eel pokes its head out from a crevice. It’s an easy dive, sitting in around 30 metres, which means decent bottom time to really explore the nooks and crannies. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light filters through the superstructure beautifully, really bringing the wreck to life. Be aware that currents can pick up here, so keep an eye on the dive brief.
Typical EL AGUILA 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.
Reviews for EL AGUILA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for EL AGUILA
EL AGUILA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for EL AGUILA, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (10.13, -75.71) (11km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
86°F · Range: 29.3–31.1°C
Air Temperature
28°C
82°F
Wind Speed
4.83 m/s
9.4 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1009.9 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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