ARRASTRERA DORINE - Mancora & North Coast

The Arrastrera Dorine is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. Sunk back in ’89, this isn’t some sanitised, perfectly intact showpiece. No, this is a proper hulk, a working trawler that went down and has been settling into the seabed ever since. We love how the metal has softened over the decades, becoming a canvas for encrusting sponges and those deep purple gorgonians. It’s a dark dive, hitting 50 metres, so you’ll want your good lights to really pick out the details – the twisted davits, the remains of the bridge, the way the deck has buckled. Our favourite part is the engine room, if you’re comfortable with a penetration or just want to peer into the gloom. That’s where we’ve often seen big grouper lurking, sometimes a sleepy nurse shark tucked right in a corner. Out on the deck, schools of jacks swirl around the mast, and it’s common to spot giant moray eels poking their heads from every crevice. Visibility can be a bit variable here, so we’d suggest aiming for slack tide if you can, to minimise the current and maximise your bottom time admiring this old girl. It’s a site for experienced divers, no question, but utterly rewarding for those who appreciate a wreck with real character.

Location
Mancora & North Coast, Peru, South America
Coordinates
-4.883333, -81.307500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Wreck History - ARRASTRERA DORINE

Year Sunk
1989
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown

The ARRASTRERA DORINE is a deep, mysterious wreck lying off the northern coast of Peru. The vessel, whose name identifies it as a fishing trawler ('arrastrera' in Spanish), sank for unknown reasons in August 1989. With little information available about its service history or its final voyage, the DORINE holds its secrets close, waiting for well-prepared divers to visit its resting place in the Pacific depths.

At 50 meters, this is a challenging dive strictly for experienced technical divers with the proper training and equipment for deep decompression dives. Those who make the descent are rewarded with the sight of a largely intact trawler, its silhouette emerging from the deep blue. Divers can explore its decks, winches, and superstructure, all likely draped in the fishing nets that hint at its former life. The 'Dangerous Wreck' classification is due to the extreme depth and the significant entanglement risk posed by the nets. The cold, nutrient-rich waters at this depth attract unique marine life, making a visit to the ARRASTRERA DORINE a truly memorable deep-sea adventure.

Best Time to Dive in Mancora & North Coast

The warmest water temperatures in Mancora & North Coast occur in January, averaging 23.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 23.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 23.9°C (air: 25.7°C)
  • February: 23.9°C (air: 26.8°C)
  • March: 23.9°C (air: 26.9°C)
  • April: 23.9°C (air: 26.2°C)
  • May: 23.9°C (air: 24.7°C)
  • June: 23.9°C (air: 23.2°C)
  • July: 23.9°C (air: 22.4°C)
  • August: 23.9°C (air: 21.9°C)
  • September: 23.9°C (air: 21.8°C)
  • October: 23.9°C (air: 22.3°C)
  • November: 23.9°C (air: 21.8°C)
  • December: 23.9°C (air: 24.0°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Mancora & North Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to ARRASTRERA DORINE

Marine Life in Mancora & North Coast

Home to 77 recorded species including 70 reef fish, 3 whales & dolphins, 3 sharks & rays, 1 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ARRASTRERA DORINE

Based on average water temperature of 23.9°C.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 24°C water
  • 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