Dive· Isla Ballena· Mexico
Lapas 03 Wreck
24° 28.4′ N · 110° 23.8′ W · approximate
The smaller of the two Chinese smuggling ships scuttled as artificial reefs on November 18, 1999, lying in open water between Isla Ballena and Punta Ballena - a 36 m steel hull now covered in sponges and schooling fish.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate: read off the georeferenced artificial-reef map (page 23) of the CONANP Espíritu Santo park rules compendium hosted by Club Cruceros; the same map reproduces the verified position of Isla Gallo to within about 100 m. Cortez Club gives the pair as Fang Ming (56 m) and Lapas03 (36 m), sunk near Isla Ballena on November 18, 1999. The compendium lists Lapas 03, Fang Ming and C-59 Francisco Márquez as the park's three artificial reefs (Subzone of Public Use): small-boat anchorage and transit allowed, large-boat anchorage and all fishing prohibited. No published depth specific to Lapas 03 - dive with a La Paz operator, who will have the mooring. Fly a dive flag; dive boats work here daily. Inside Archipiélago Espíritu Santo National Park: every person aboard needs the daily CONANP bracelet (225 MXN/person/day on the CONANP page) or an annual Conservation Passport.
Best for
Second wreck on a Fang Ming dive day