Darwin Island - Galápagos Islands

The Belzona Barge, just off Key Largo, isn’t your typical upright ship. It’s a broken wreck, scattered across the seafloor after a hurricane, and that’s precisely why we love it. Diving here feels like exploring a giant underwater scrapyard, full of nooks and crannies that smaller wrecks just don't offer. You’ll weave through twisted metal plates, over massive I-beams, and past chunks of what used to be a working vessel. It’s a fantastic site for photographers, especially with a wide-angle lens, as the light plays beautifully through the fragmented structure. Look closely, and you’ll spot resident green moray eels tucked into crevices, their heads poking out with a curious glance. We’ve also seen huge schools of grunts and snapper swirling around the taller sections of debris, sometimes so thick they obscure the wreck itself. For something a bit different from the usual Keys reefs, the Belzona delivers a fascinating, broken landscape. We’d suggest going on a day with good visibility to really appreciate the scale of the scattered remains.

Location
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, South America
Coordinates
1.680000, -92.003000
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Darwin Island

Vessel Type
barge
Cause
scuttled

The Belzona Barge is a classic Florida Keys wreck dive, intentionally sunk as an artificial reef to create a habitat for marine life. While its specific history before sinking is sparse, its purpose today is clear: to provide an accessible and rewarding dive site. Sitting upright on the sandy bottom, this steel barge has become completely encrusted with corals and sponges, attracting a vibrant array of reef fish. Divers can expect to encounter large schools of grunts and snapper, resident barracuda, and often a goliath grouper or two hiding in its open cargo hold. Its relatively shallow depth and straightforward structure make it an excellent dive for all skill levels, perfect for a long, relaxed exploration or a second dive of the day.

Marine Protected Area: Hermandad

Best Time to Dive in Galápagos Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Galápagos Islands occur in March, averaging 27.3°C. The coolest conditions are in September at 22.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 25.2°C
  • February: 27.0°C
  • March: 27.3°C
  • April: 26.9°C
  • May: 25.4°C
  • June: 24.3°C
  • July: 23.8°C
  • August: 23.0°C
  • September: 22.7°C
  • October: 23.1°C
  • November: 23.6°C
  • December: 23.9°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Galápagos Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Darwin Island

Marine Life in Galápagos Islands

Home to 141 recorded species including 108 reef fish, 7 whales & dolphins, 7 sharks & rays, 6 seagrass & algae, 5 hard corals, 3 sea cucumbers.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Darwin Island

Based on average water temperature of 24.7°C, currents 34 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 25°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins (stiff blade recommended for strong currents)
  • 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