# El Meridian Wreck Dive Site, Tenerife | Barbarian Diving Source: https://barbariandiving.com/el-meridian-wreck-tenerife/ [← All dive sites](https://barbariandiving.com/dive-sites/) WRECK DIVE · PALM-MAR # El Meridian Wreck, Tenerife A former wartime minesweeper resting at 18-30 metres off Palm-Mar, a short boat ride from Los Cristianos, with a largely intact hull and lively open-water action. ![El Meridian Wreck, Tenerife](https://barbariandiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/meridian-wreck.webp) DIVE SITE OVERVIEW REGION South Tenerife ACCESS Boat dive · ~10 min from Los Cristianos RECOMMENDED LEVEL Advanced Open Water TYPICAL DEPTH 18-25 m MAXIMUM DEPTH 30 m VISIBILITY 15-25 m WATER TEMPERATURE 18-24°C ## Why We Love El Meridian Few wrecks in Tenerife carry as much history as El Meridian: built as a German minesweeper in 1944, it lived an entire second life as a Los Cristianos excursion boat before finally coming to rest here. That layered history makes every dive feel like it's carrying a story. It's also one of the more dynamic wreck dives on the island: the open water around the hull is rarely still, with baitfish and amberjack keeping the dive lively from descent to ascent. El Meridian is one of Tenerife's most historically distinctive wrecks: a former WWII minesweeper that spent decades as a whale-watching boat before coming to rest at 18-30 metres off Palm-Mar, a short boat ride from Los Cristianos. Its hull remains largely intact, giving divers a clear sense of the vessel's original form, while the open water around it draws in baitfish, amberjack and, occasionally, passing dolphins. THE STORY ## The story of El Meridian Launched in 1944 as the German Kriegsmarine minesweeper KFK 469, this small wooden-hulled vessel served coastal patrol and mine-clearance duties during WWII. Demilitarised and restored after the war, it arrived in Tenerife in 1974 and operated for over three decades as a whale-watching and excursion boat out of Los Cristianos, before sinking in the harbour in 2004 and finally being moved to its resting place off Palm-Mar in 2005. MARINE LIFE ## Marine life you might see Sardines & Amberjack YEAR-ROUND Baitfish schools gather around the structure, regularly drawing in amberjack hunting in coordinated bursts. Moray Eels, Octopus & Groupers YEAR-ROUND Found in the rocky sections near the wreck. Rays YEAR-ROUND A broad variety seen cruising the surrounding sand. Dolphins YEAR-ROUND Occasional sightings during ascent or safety stops, an opportunistic bonus, never a guarantee. CONDITIONS & SUITABILITY Visibility Typically 15-25 metres. Current Usually mild, though open-water sections can pick up occasionally. Temperature Approx. 18°C in winter to 24°C in summer. Best season Year-round. Exposure protection 5 mm for most divers; 7 mm for those who feel the cold more in winter. PERFECT FOR Advanced Open Water divers, wreck history enthusiasts, and divers who enjoy dynamic open-water action. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR Newly certified Open Water divers, given the depth of 18-30 metres. 💡 BARBARIAN INSTRUCTOR TIP Keep an eye on the blue during your safety stop: dolphins have been known to pass by right when divers are heading up, and it's easy to miss them if you're focused only on the wreck. ## Frequently asked questions How deep is the El Meridian wreck? El Meridian rests at a depth of 18 to 30 metres off Palm-Mar. How do I get to the dive site? By boat, around 10 minutes from the harbour of Los Cristianos. What certification do I need? Given the depth, this is an advanced-level dive: an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent is recommended. What will I see at El Meridian? Schools of sardines and amberjack around the wreck, moray eels, octopus and groupers nearby, rays on the sand, and occasionally dolphins passing by. ## Ready to dive El Meridian? Message us on WhatsApp to check conditions and book your wreck dive. English, German or Spanish. [WhatsApp us](https://wa.me/34623365474) ![](https://barbariandiving.com/wp-content/themes/barbarian-diving-wp/assets/logo-mark.png) Keep exploring 🎓 Continue your training [→Fun Dives in Tenerife](https://barbariandiving.com/fun-dives-tenerife/) [→SSI Wreck Diving Tenerife. Explore Sunken Ships | Barbarian Diving](https://barbariandiving.com/ssi-wreck-diving-tenerife/) [→SSI Advanced Open Water Diver Course Tenerife](https://barbariandiving.com/ssi-advanced-open-water-diver-tenerife/) [→SSI Deep Diver Course Tenerife. Explore Down to 40 Metres](https://barbariandiving.com/ssi-deep-diver-tenerife/) 📖 Dive deeper [→Scuba Diving in Los Cristianos: The Ultimate Guide to Tenerife South’s Best Diving Hub](https://barbariandiving.com/scuba-diving-los-cristianos/) [→Wreck Diving Tenerife: Exploring the Island’s Most Fascinating Shipwrecks](https://barbariandiving.com/wreck-diving-tenerife/) [→Top 10 epic dive sites in Tenerife](https://barbariandiving.com/top-dive-sites-in-tenerife/) 💬 Get in touch [→Pricing](https://barbariandiving.com/pricing/) [→Contact](https://barbariandiving.com/contact/) ![Barbarian Diving](https://barbariandiving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-barbarian-diving-tenerife.jpg) Manage consent To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. 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