BON BINI

Best months: Jan–Dec

Protected Area

Isla Santay

Why dive here

With 145+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue whales, dolphins, humpback whales, manta rays and mobula rays (devil rays) - BON BINI offers some of Isla de la Plata's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 25-27°C, warmest February, March, May.

Marine lifeBlue Whales, Dolphins, Humpback Whales, Manta Rays and Mobula Rays (Devil Rays) · 145+ species recorded

Water25-27°C · warmest February, March, May

CharacterWreck dive · max 10m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

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.

Typical BON BINI 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.

Today06:2118:2512h 3m daylightGolden hour 17:57

BON BINI Wreck History

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.