The Kalais wreck sits directly opposite the Port of Las Palmas (Puerto de la Luz). The port is one of the most important and the largest in Europe. It is the first port of the Canary Islands and it handles the most traffic at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and America.
Kalais is a Greek cargo ship that sank in 1978. The ship loaded with cement bags reportedly headed to the port of Warri in Nigeria. However, due to a leak in her hull (full of cement) was towed to the port of Las Palmas, where she remained for some time temporarily grounded. She was easy prey for thieves who successively dismantled some of her parts. It eventually sank during one of the strong storms near the harbour. Kalais is 110 meters long and 24 meters wide. She sits on a sandy spot perfectly upright in the depth of 22-33 meters, often patrolled by large barracudas and morays. It is less than 15 minutes to get to Kalais from the harbour. It is very interesting to explore the well-preserved deck and corridors. Deck is located at a depth of about 22 meters and offers a number of possible inputs into almost untouched hold.
Water temperature in the area is around 25°C in the summer and about 18ºC during the winter months. The year-round visibility stays well over 15 meters. Unfortunately, in present days, access to the wreck is officially prohibited. It seems that plans and projects for the expansion of the port may eventually lead to the dismantling of several wrecks around the harbor of Puerto de la Luz.
Arona was a big merchant ship that was transporting a variety of goods between islands. On the 23rd of April 1972, a fire suddenly occurred in the engine room followed by several explosions and subsequent fire destruction. The ship had to be towed to the port, but during the transport she sank two miles outside the harbor.
Today, the ship is a haven of various marine animals and colorful aquatic life around her is just rampant. Leporinus occurs here in large flocks, as well as Lined Sapins with a multitude of colorful corals. Sometimes, a deep-sea animals pay a visit to Arona. The ship measures nearly 100 meters and is 15 meters wide. Located near sewage treatment plants, opposite point of Punta de Jinámar. The depth here is in the range of 24-36 m.
Source: fordivers.com, The Province to City of Las Palmas Video: Youtube
