The Blue Diamond wreck dive

Diving

By Christopher Minster

According to local San Andres lore, the Blue Diamond, a medium-sized freighter, was impounded in the 1990’s by the Colombian government for running drugs before being scuttled as a dive attraction.  Whatever its history, the Blue Diamond is a fantastically enjoyable wreck, full of little nooks and crannies that divers simply love to explore. 

Resting not far off the eastern shore of the island in about 35 feet of very warm water—even those most likely to get chilly underwater will not need a wetsuit—the dive is easy and fun. We started at the bow and worked our way back to the stern, which rests about 40 feet down, the deepest part of the dive. The boat cracked and split as it sunk, and there are several areas through which an adventuresome diver can swim without running much risk of getting stuck or caught. Sea life such as fans, corals and small sponges, has begun to grow on the wreck, and several small, colorful reef fish make it their home.

Some of the highlights include the massive propeller, half-buried in the sandy bottom, and the bow, which has an open hatch through which you can swim, coming out a hole in the side (let the dive master go first!).  Look for barracuda and other fish darting in and out of the wreckage.

The Blue Diamond is on a sandy spot, but there are coral gardens and small reefs not far away, and if you still have air after completing your exploration of the wreck, you may be able to look around some more before resurfacing.

Traveler Reviews of The Blue Diamond wreck dive

a great dive

Rating: 100%

Fun, shallow and safe. Everything you want in a dive!

By Gideon Welles from Scottsville, New York, Mar 06, 2007