Telamon Ship Wreck

Telamon Ship Wreck ratings:-

8/10 – Overall rating

10/10 – shipwreck factor
2/10 – natural beauty
5/10 – swimming safety
8/10 – access and parking
7/10 – water quality and clarity
2/10 – local amentities
5/10 – entry and exit from water at mid to high tide
2/10 – crowd factor

Drive times

5 minute drive time from Costa Teguise
15 minutes drive time from Puerto del Carmen
40 minutes drive time from Playa Blanca

Introduction to the Telamon shipwreck

The Telamon ship wreck can be found grounded just off a small beach next to the main cargo port of Lanzarote in Arrecife.

The remains of the grounded ship the Telamon make an interesting site to visit. You can even spend the day there swimming and snorkelling near the wreck and enjoying the nearby beach.

The Telamon shipwreck Lanzarote

In 1981 The Telamon sprang a leak whilst at sea near Lanzarote. Crew on board the ship tried to pump out the water but the leak was too big. Eventually the Arrecife harbour master made the decision to run the ship a ground. A small and little used local beach just outside and next to the main Lanzarote harbour was chosen for the ships grounding. Subsequent storms continued to hit the ship breaking off the front half which then sunk below the surface.

The part of the Telamon still visible is the rear half. This has now become a place of interest for locals and visiting tourists.

Originally built in the Uk in 1953 the ship changed owners and names several times. Ultimately owned by a Greek shipping company. The last voyage of this Greek ship was transporting 260 tonnes of heavy fuel, 60 tonnes of diesel fuel and wood from the Ivory Coast to Greece.

Soon after the wreck all the oil, fuel and cargo was discharged from the ship.

Years Since the wreck:

At different times efforts were made to dismantle and remove the ship wreck as its corroded state was become a danger.
Finally in 2021 a contract was awarded for the full dismantle and removal of the wreck.

Telamon technical information:

Built in 1953. 1969 name changed to Pantelis. 1977 new Greek owners changed name for final time to ‘The Telamon’.
Ship type: Cargo Ship
Length: 140 meters
2 decks
Top speed 23 km/h
Crew: 29

Summary:

The Telamon shipwreck has become a part of Lanzarote history and firmly on the sight seeing route.
Now visible is the front half left in a dilapidated and corroded condition.
Dismantling has now started so this Lanzarote landmark will no be around for much longer.