Diving El Peñón

Enter from shore at Tabaiba and follow the volcanic slope into deeper water. As you descend, the dark outline of El Peñón gradually appears, resting on its starboard side with the bow, deck, bridge and propeller still clearly recognizable.

Originally named Cepsa Segundo, the tugboat entered service in 1958 and worked for many years around the port of Santa Cruz. It sank during an operation involving the ocean liner Canberra in 1971, was later recovered and returned to service as R. Peñón, then intentionally sunk off Tabaiba in July 2006 to create an artificial reef.

Moray eels and octopus shelter inside the structure, while barracuda, trumpetfish and schools of fish often circle above it. Smaller marine life, including colorful nudibranchs, can be found across chains and other surfaces, while rays may pass over the surrounding sand.

The depth, structure and history make this a rewarding dive for experienced divers. Those who want to improve their wreck planning, hazard awareness and responsible exploration can develop these skills during our PADI Wreck Diver specialty.