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Date Published: 09/09/2025

Discover El Peñón: Tenerife’s Stunning Shipwreck and Underwater Paradise

A carefully planned sinking has turned a former tugboat off Tenerife into one of the Canary Islands’ most popular diving spots

Off the coast of Tenerife, just a few metres from Tabaiba, lies El Peñón, a 35-metre tugboat resting at a depth of 30 metres. Far from being a tragic wreck, this vessel was deliberately sunk in the summer of 2006 to become an artificial reef, after removing any harmful materials such as hull paint. The operation aimed to boost marine life and create a unique diving attraction, a goal it has spectacularly achieved.

El Peñón’s history stretches back further than this final resting place. Originally named CEPSA Segundo, it suffered an earlier sinking in July 1971, following a mishap while assisting the British ocean liner Canberra in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. That incident attracted many onlookers as the tugboat went down but was later refloated and continued its service in Algeciras and Tenerife waters until deliberately sunk decades later.

Today, El Peñón is celebrated as one of Tenerife’s best-preserved wrecks, known for its intact and recognisable shape. It lists about 30 degrees to starboard, making it an intriguing dive site for enthusiasts. The wreck offers safe entry points, giving divers a genuine wreck exploration experience at a depth accessible to recreational divers but still challenging enough to keep things exciting.

Over the years, the site has flourished with marine life. The chains and pipelines are home to colourful small creatures such as the pink Flabellina nudibranch, while larger species like butterfly rays glide silently nearby. Schools of fish, barracudas, octopuses, and stingrays are regularly spotted, making every dive different and rich in wildlife.

This controlled sinking speaks volumes about how thoughtful human intervention can enhance marine ecosystems while supporting sustainable tourism. Thousands of divers and curious visitors are drawn annually to El Peñón, where history, nature, and adventure combine under the waves.

For anyone interested in a rewarding dive that blends an easily accessible wreck with a thriving underwater habitat, El Peñón presents an unforgettable experience; a testament to Tenerife’s commitment to preserving and promoting its marine treasures.

You might also be interested in: Diving in Murcia region continues to boom, boosting efforts to extend the tourist season

Image: Christian Vergara/Pexels

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