Diving in Carawa Wreck & Tijeretas Bay

Diving in Carawa & Tijeretas: General Info

The tour to the Carawa Wreck and Tijeretas Bay in San Cristobal suits new divers, who can do a discovery dive, as well as certified divers on a fun dive.

• Highlights: Check dive at Muelle Tijeretas (Tijeretas Bay), with clear water and sea lions. Exploration of the Carawa SS Wreck, a transport ship that sank in 1920
• Duration: Half Day (Can be done either in the morning or afternoon)
• Price: $190 USD. Prices change, so check with the dive center.
• Agency/Guide: Aquaventures Dive Center
• Included on the tour: Boat transportation, Diving equipment, Box lunch, an Experienced Divemaster, and a Knowledgeable Naturalist Guide.

For more information please consult the official Galapagos Conservancy website.

Diving in Carawa & Tijeretas: Technical Info

• Dive Type: Wreck  Dive (limited penetration) & Open Water Dive.
• Difficulty: Easy (Discovery).
• Start: Boat dive.
• Duration: Around 45 minutes.
• Nr. of dives: 2 dives.
• Full Tank: 3000 PSI / 200 Bar
• Currents: None, or low currents.
• Max. Depth: 15 meters.
• Surface Interval: 1 hour (boat rest).
• Visibility: 7-20 meters.
• Water Temp. (ºC): Jan-Apr: 23,4-30,5.  May-Dec: 21,0-27,5.
• Air Temp. (ºC): Jan-Apr: 22-31, May-Dec: 19-29.
• Water Temp. (ºF): Jan-Apr: 76,8-84,3,  May-Dec: 71,9-79,3.
• Air Temp. (ºF): Jan-Apr: 72-88, May-Dec: 66-84.

Making the Most of Your Carawa Shipwreck Diving Adventure

To dive at the Carawa Shipwreck, the following sections explain how to arrange it.

These are listings from a booking partner of this site, not tours I took. For diving at Kicker Rock (León Dormido), see my Kicker Rock article.

Diving in Carawa & Tijeretas: Curiosities

Carawa Wreck: The shipwreck at Carawa has two versions of its story, each offering a different perspective.

The first account relates to a German transport ship called Caragua, measuring 100 meters in length, which met its demise in November 1918.

The second, more detailed version says the ship was originally the Croatian vessel Turul SS, built in 1907 and seized in Sydney in August 1914. Renamed Carawa SS, it wrecked on March 21, 1920, on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos, on a journey from Port Arthur, Texas, to Brisbane, carrying a cargo of cased gasoline.

A brief story of the wreck, from a newspaper report of the time:

“S.S. CARAWA WRECK.

Story of Survivors.

SYDNEY Sunday - Some of the crew of the Commonwealth Government liner Carawa which was wrecked on a reef in the Galapagos group on March 21 and became a total loss reached Sydney on Saturday evening by the steamer Australrange. Their names are Bond, Lucas Roberts, Lewis, Ross, O’Brien, Mullen, Boreham McDonald, Fannigan, Beck, Whytt and Welch. Captain Hyde and a member named Gasper are returning to Australia by a liner calling at Panama. The Australmount, which is due here from Cuba shortly, has the following members of the crew on board: - Robinson, Gore, Cassidy, Lane, Eliston, Kelly, Morris, Bartholomew, and Ford. Mr James Mullen one of the returned men gives the following account:

The Carawa struck a reef about a mile from the shore. The rudder and stern post were torn away and the vessel became hard and fast We remained on her for four days, when the high tide floated her off the reef into deep water. There were no tugs at the island, and our position was becoming serious. It was then found that the vessel was leaking badly in the forehold, and it was decided to leave it and make for the shore. 

The Carawa sank in about 40ft of water. Her masts, funnel, and bridge could be seen above waiter. We made a tent out of awnings we brought from the ship, and subsisted on tinned meats and potatoes we had brought ashore with us. Our supply of food was very limited. Sleep was practically out of the question due to mosquitoes. 

There were about 500 Spanish convicts on the island who seemed to have been put there and not further troubled about. Belongings of mine valued at £90, were stolen from me. I am certain that the limejuice which we got from the ship and the wild oranges we gathered kept us in health. Not one of our men became ill. We were four weeks on the island before we were transhipped to the 100 ton schooner Manual Cobalt which had bullocks and pigs aboard. Our walking room was confined to about five yards, and we had no means whatever of washing ourselves. Our food consisted of stew and beans once a day only. 

We were aboard this schooner for 18 days. We at last reached Guayaquil, where we fared better than we had since the wreck. We then sailed to Colon by the steamer Quertmayle, sleeping on the deck with a blanket to cover us. On reaching Colon we lived at the Salvation Army Home till we were transferred to the Australrange.”

For more information: wreck details, newspaper report, page 1 and page 2

Tijeretas Dive: Tijeretas Bay, also known as Muelle Tijeretas or Darwin Bay, is a natural lagoon with clear water and resident sea lions. In the shallow areas you may see green sea turtles chewing on algae-covered rocks. It is a dive location for divers of all levels.

How to do dive in Carawa Wreck and Tijeretas Bay?

One option for diving at the Carawa Wreck and Tijeretas is a tour with Aquaventures Dive Center, which offers a Discovery Dive program for beginners.

There are other diving schools in the area, such as Wreck Bay Dive Center, that may offer more affordable options. Compare prices and check what is included.

Whichever school you choose, check what the price includes before you book.

What can I see while diving in Carawa Wreck and Tijeretas Bay?

Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect to see during your underwater exploration:

• Carawa Wreck: This sunken cargo vessel has historical interest. Around the wreckage you may see parts of the ship’s structure, including the boiler room and propellers. A reef has grown over the wreck and attracts marine species.
• Tijeretas Bay: This natural lagoon is home to sea lions. In the clear water, look for green sea turtles grazing on algae-covered rocks. The shallow areas are often visited by colorful fish.
• Marine Life: Schools of fish move through the waters and rays pass by. Look for scorpion fish camouflaged among the coral, and with luck you might spot a reef shark or a sea turtle.

What should i bring to the dive in Carawa Wreck and Tijeretas Bay?

This is a general gear list with partner links. These are suggestions, not products I have tested.

Diving Computer:

• Garmin Descent Mk2i or Apple Watch Ultra 2

Diving Gear:

• Wetsuit
• BCD, Regulator, Octo, Pressure Gauge Pack
• Fins
• Diving Mask
• Diving Flashlight
• Snorkel Tube

Clothing & Accessories:

• T-shirt: Breathable T-shirt (Tech or Merino), or a Lycra
• Jacket: Waterproof Jacket
• Shorts: Swimming Clothes
• Shoes: Flip Flops
• Hat: Cap
• Sunglasses
• Dry-fast Towel
• Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
• Change of Clothes

Useful Extras:

• GoPro/Camera
• First-Aid Kit - Extra Sea Sickness Medication if needed
• Sunscreen 50 SPF
• Food / Snacks
• Thermos or Water-filtering Bottle

Check out my complete guide on What’s in My Backpack. It covers photography gear and clothing for hiking, mountaineering, scuba diving, rainforest, and city-street photography.

My Experience while diving in Carawa Wreck and Tijeretas Bay

Although I didn’t have the opportunity to dive in Carawa Wreck and Tijeretas Bay myself, I was lucky enough to hear all about my friends’ incredible adventure in these mesmerizing underwater sites. They were in awe of the marine wonders they encountered and couldn’t stop raving about their experience.

Diving in Tijeretas Bay

In Tijeretas Bay, they were greeted by the enchanting sight of numerous sea lions frolicking in the crystal-clear waters. These playful creatures accompanied them throughout their dive, adding an extra element of excitement to their underwater exploration. My friends were thrilled as the sea lions swam gracefully around them, creating unforgettable moments and providing excellent photo opportunities.

Diving in Carawa Wreck

Moving on to the Carawa Wreck, my friends were captivated by the rich history that surrounds this sunken cargo vessel. They explored the wreckage and were amazed by the vibrant reef that had taken over the ship. As they ventured closer, they even managed to pose for some photos with the propeller, capturing memories they would cherish for a lifetime.

The abundance of sea lions both in Tijeretas Bay and around the Carawa Wreck made their diving experience truly exceptional. It was an unforgettable encounter with these charismatic marine creatures that left my friends with a profound appreciation for the beauty and diversity of Galapagos’ underwater world.

Although I missed out on this particular dive, hearing about my friends’ exhilarating encounters with sea lions and their overall satisfaction with the diving experience in Carawa Wreck and Tijeretas Bay only deepened my desire to explore these captivating sites on my next visit to the Galapagos Islands.

All the Articles About the Galapagos

San Cristobal Island - The easternmost island of the Galápagos, the “Isla Bonita”

Santa Cruz Island - The island with the best tourism infrastructure.

Isabela Island - The most adventurous and less explored island of the main three.