Wreck Diving in Lanzarote

There are over 20 guided dives available in Lanzarote. The pick of the bunch for wrecks are described below.

8 Guided Dive Package (£283) - 1wk - Apartments - transfers - diving - more (conditions applicable), only £283...GO

THE RABAT WRECK
This wreck is a massive transport ship that unfortunately lost its way to the Port close by.  This dive is undertaken by boat and is for the experienced diver with the top of the wreck starting approx. 32 meters.

LOS ERIZOS WRECKS
This dive is undertaken by boat and has been designated a marine conservation site and after more than 17 years is now boasting a well established wreck site supporting a vast marine life of sardines, pinfish, turkish wrasse, emperor fish, arrow crabs, large groupers and sometimes visited by large sting rays and tuna (and Angel sharks in the Winter). Wrecks range from a wooden holed wreck at 32 metres up to a clear blue water 18 metres trawler wreck which still has a 2 metres brass propeller intact. There are approximately 8 wrecks together and this site can be dived a few times to explore the whole site.

PUNTA TINOSA WRECKS
Two fishing boats have recently been sunk for the purpose of diving.  One wreck is in 18 meters of water with the other one in 22 meters.  Although new wrecks, the dive is most enjoyable and on a clear day the wrecks can be seen from the surface.  A wide variety of marine life can be found on this site.

“I was so surprised by the amount of fish. The dive sites were unique and far better than I was expecting. Lanzarote has soared in my estimation.” Becky Sheville

Wreck Diving in Sharm el Sheikh

The Thistlegorm: Arguably one of the most famous wrecks in the world, the Thistlegorm was discovered by Jacques Cousteau in 1955. Diving the Thistlegorm is quite an experience, with its incredible cargo of 1940's motor bikes, cars and ammunition cases, beautiful sea life and huge size. As an "Armed Freighter" with an additional armoured Gun Deck built over the aft section, an old 4·7" gun and a heavy calibre machine gun - of WW1 vintage, can be seen when diving the Thistlegorm.

The Thistlegorm was launched on the 9th of April 1940. Its name means ‘blue thistle', and it was a British transport ship, 126.5 metres long with the capacity of 4,898 tons (9,009 displacement tons), and had a three cylinder steam engine developing 1,860 HP, that gave the vessel a speed of around 10 knots.

In May 1941, a crew of 39 men left on the Thistlegorm from Glasgow , with a cargo including munitions, bombs, anti-tank mines, Lee Enfield MK II rifles, BSA motorcycles, Morris and Ford trucks, tanks and even two steam locomotives. Two German bombers coming from the German airbase in Crete, sighted the Thistlegorm as it sat in the Strait of Gubal , awaiting the clearance of German mines in the Suez Canal .

They attacked the Thistlegorm. Two bombs hit the fourth hold, where the munitions deposits were situated. The resulting explosion tore the ship in two, whilst catapulting the two 126 ton locomotives, despite being tied to the deck, into the air. The crew and Captain were rescued by the HMS Carlisle, but nine men lost their lives during the attack.

“I completed two dives on the Thistlegorm, and reckon I only need eight more to really get to see it all!” Michou

The wreck was discovered by, of course, Jacques Cousteau in 1955, and later appeared in the National Geographic in 1956. Cousteau did not reveal the position of the wreck, and it went forgotten for almost 40 years until 1992 when it was rediscovered by an Israeli skipper.

The Ship Today
The SS Thistlegorm sits mast and funnel above all others shipwrecks. Such is the pulling power of this single vessel that she attracts more Divers than any other underwater site - anywhere in the entire world! Since being re-discovered in the early nineties, the Thistlegorm has consistently remained "The World’s Foremost Diving Attraction" and after my own very first visit, I found myself calling her "The Mighty Thistlegorm!"

What makes this ship so extra-special is a combination of several factors. Despite extensive damage aft of the Bridge, the main section is upright and on an even keel. Then, there is the story of her passing, with all it’s ingredients of War, Heroism and Tragedy - something that is never re-created in any vessel deliberately sunk. Lest we forget, even the Titanic would have passed into obscurity were it not for the manner of her sinking! Then, prevailing conditions and accessibility all come into play. These include an acceptable climate, relatively warm waters, very good underwater visibility and a maximum depth of just 32 metres to the seabed.

What more could be asked of any shipwreck you might ask - and the word "Cargo" springs to mind. Within the Thistlegorm, that cargo is a veritable underwater "World War II Museum."

Acknowledgements must go to Ahlan at Rasmohammed.com nature reserve. Click here for more info.

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