Dive Site Tabaiba - Ship wreck

The dive site in Tabaiba offers us a diveable shipwreck. The wreck of the 35m-long tugboat 'El Pejin' (translated: little fish) was prepared for divers and intentionally sunk here. We reach the wreck in just 5 minutes via stairs from the shore entrance. It lies at a depth of 28m with its propeller at the stern, and its upper deck and masts extend to a depth of 15m. This means that beginners with an Open Water Diver license can also dive over the wreck and view everything from above. However, for dives down to the keel of the ship and into the interior, at least an Advanced Open Water license is required.

If you go beyond the wreck to the bottom, you quickly reach depths of 35m - 40m, a great place for diving for the Deep Diver specialty.

We often use this dive site for Wreck Diver training and Advanced Open Water training.

Entry and exit via stairs is child's play. The terrain consists of heaped basalt rock to protect the shore and a sloping sandy bottom. Because the wreck sank onto the sloping bank, it sits at an angle, which often leads to confusion and mild dizziness for inexperienced divers. Since the signals from our sense of balance and our eyes don't align regarding the correct horizon, especially when we're inside the wreck, mild vertigo often occurs.

All around the wreck, and also along the entire coastline, fish and schools of fish are teeming with sardines, Atlantic damselfish, trumpetfish, goatfish, bream, and barracuda. Garden eels are everywhere on the sand like resembling grass in a meadow. We also often encounter octopuses, cuttlefish, gurnards, and rays. Especially under the wreck, at the rear of the propeller, rays and other fish are often found.

Green area: Upper passage through the bridge also suitable for beginners, no torches required.
Yellow area: min. AOWD level, torches required.
Red area    : For experienced divers only, torches are required in this area and there is a risk of getting stuck and entangled.

We have to thank Alex O. for this brilliant drawing!