BON BINI - Isla de la Plata

Bon Bini is a wreck dive, pure and simple, and we absolutely love it for that. She’s a steamship, 68 metres long, abandoned and lost years ago near Posorja while trying to enter Guayaquil’s port. Now, she rests upright in a manageable 10 metres of water. We've explored her bow to stern, feeling the rough texture of her rusted hull, the currents gently nudging us along her length. What you get here is atmosphere. The visibility can be a bit variable, sometimes a silty green, other times a clearer blue, but it always adds to the mystique. Sunlight filters down, illuminating schools of grunts and snappers that have made the Bon Bini their home, darting in and out of the skeletal remains of her superstructure. We've often found a green sea turtle or two just hanging out, occasionally a stingray gliding silently over the sand nearby. It’s an easy, rewarding dive for anyone who enjoys history and the way the ocean reclaims things. We’d suggest going early in the morning for the calmest conditions before the winds pick up.

Location
Isla de la Plata, Ecuador, South America
Coordinates
-2.220000, -79.885500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Wreck History - BON BINI

Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The story of the Bon Bini is shrouded in mystery. This 68-metre steamship was reported abandoned and lost near Posorja while on its approach to the port of Guayaquil, Ecuador. The circumstances of its sinking remain unknown, leaving behind an intriguing puzzle for maritime historians and divers alike. Why was she abandoned? What cargo did she carry? The answers now rest with the wreck itself on the seabed.

Lying at a depth of just 10 metres, the Bon Bini is a highly accessible wreck, perfect for divers of all certification levels. Its shallow depth allows for long, relaxed dives with plenty of natural light. Over the years, the ship's steel structure has transformed into a vibrant artificial reef, attracting a wealth of marine life from the nutrient-rich waters of the Pacific. Divers can expect to see schools of tropical fish, moray eels, and crustaceans making their home in the ship's remains, offering a fantastic opportunity for underwater photography and an easy introduction to the thrill of wreck diving.

Marine Protected Area: Isla Santay

Best Time to Dive in Isla de la Plata

The warmest water temperatures in Isla de la Plata occur in February, averaging 27.3°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 24.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.4°C
  • February: 27.3°C
  • March: 27.2°C
  • April: 26.4°C
  • May: 26.7°C
  • June: 26.4°C
  • July: 25.3°C
  • August: 24.8°C
  • September: 24.8°C
  • October: 25.3°C
  • November: 25.1°C
  • December: 25.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Isla de la Plata

Nearest Dive Centres to BON BINI

Marine Life in Isla de la Plata

Home to 148 recorded species including 124 reef fish, 8 whales & dolphins, 5 other, 5 sharks & rays, 2 hard corals, 1 sea cucumbers.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for BON BINI

Based on average water temperature of 25.9°C, currents 4 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°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