How a sunken tug boat became one of the most popular dive sites in the Canaries
Exploring a shipwreck is an unforgettable experience that attracts divers from all over the world. But not every wreck is the result of tragedy; in fact, one of Tenerife’s most famous dive sites was deliberately created to enrich marine life and boost scuba tourism.
The wreck in question is El Peñón, a 35-metre tugboat lying at around 30 metres’ depth, tilted 30 degrees to starboard just off the coast of Tabaiba.
Its sinking in the summer of 2006 was no accident: it was a carefully planned operation to create an artificial reef. Before the scuttling, the vessel was stripped of all potentially harmful materials, including paint, ensuring a safe habitat for marine species. Today, it serves both as a thriving underwater ecosystem and a moderately challenging dive site.
A ship that sank twice
El Peñón’s story is even more unusual because this was not its first time on the seabed. Back in July 1971, when the tug was still known as CEPSA Segundo, it accidentally sank while assisting the British cruise liner Canberra in Santa Cruz. The mishap, caused by a bad manoeuvre, was witnessed by dozens of surprised tourists.
The tug was later refloated, repaired, and returned to service, operating in the Bay of Algeciras and Tenerife waters for decades before its final and intentional sinking as part of the island’s seabed regeneration project.
A unique diving experience
Today, El Peñón has become one of the most distinctive wrecks in the Canary Islands, where history, nature, and adventure combine. Its transformation from working tug to underwater attraction is a striking reminder of how vessels that once served industry can find a second life, this time as a haven for marine biodiversity and a must-see dive spot for underwater explorers.
Wreck details:
Name: The Rock.
Type: Tugboat.
Length: 26.96 metres.
Width: 7.70 metres.
Tonnage: 164 gross tons and 284 tons displacement. It had a 1,100-horsepower MTM engine with a speed of 11.2 knots.
Date of sinking: July 20th 1971 and July 11th 2006.
Built in: Astilleros de Sevilla in 1958, it was a Dutch-designed ship and the fourth in the so-called Ursus series.
Reason for shipwreck: Sunk to create artificial reef.
Location: Tabaiba, Tenerife.
Depth: 20 to 32 metres.
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