El misterioso jardín de los naufragios

The Mysterious Garden of Shipwrecks

Isla Santa Margarita is surrounded by a peculiar magnetism. The crystal-clear waters of the sea and the mysterious ambiance add to the allure of this 40-kilometer island located off the coast of Puerto Chale in the municipality of La Paz.

The Island of Shipwrecks, as it is widely known, has experienced numerous shipwrecks over the years as a result of strong winds that prevail in the region. Subsequently, the underwater ecosystem surrounding the small island has become a haven for diverse marine life, including vibrant shoals of fish, corals, crustaceans, and other species, who have taken over the sunken ships and now act as their guardians.

Two steamers, the SS Indiana and SS Colombia, sank near the southern tip of the island. They are among the most recognizable shipwrecks and lie quite close to one another. The SS Indiana is known as the "most beautiful wreck in history" while the SS Colombia had a tragic history with the recorded loss of life. The gold bullion, on board the SS Columbia, is claimed to have been protected by a cat, a monkey, and a dog. The submarine H-1's wreckage was also discovered, in which four of the 25 crew members perished valiantly in the face of adversity.

The reason for these unfortunate incidents is the sea currents and dense fog that occur in the region, posing a significant danger to ships sailing during certain times of the year. Nonetheless, there are local murmurs of an enigmatic, mystical power at play, which lures vessels towards their demise amid the sound of the salty wind and murmurs of the sea. As a result, the southern region of Santa Margarita Island has experienced many shipwrecks and numerous (scientific and based on folklore) theories that attempt to explain this phenomenon.

Is it a curse by the ancient pirates who roamed the region? Perhaps the tales are just figments of the imagination, but if there is a time to find out. Today is the day! Go on, explorer!