Carib Cargo (Wreck)
Protected Area
Sandy Island
Why dive here
With 288+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, eagle rays, humpback whales and nurse sharks - Carib Cargo (Wreck) offers some of Sandy Island's richest wreck diving.
Carib Cargo is one of those wrecks we always make time for when we're in Anguilla. It’s a purposeful sinking, which we generally prefer for its diver-friendly layout, and it sits upright at a comfortable 20 metres. You can swim right through the cargo hold, which is a big, open space – perfect for less experienced wreck divers to get a feel for overhead environments without much anxiety. What we really love is how much has grown on it over the years. The deck is carpeted in soft corals, purple sea fans waving gently, and you’ll find schools of snapper and grunt sheltering everywhere. Look closely and you’ll often spot a big green moray peering out from a pipe or under the bow. It’s a genuinely relaxed dive, and if you hit it in the morning before the day boats get too busy, the light filtering through the hold is just beautiful. We always suggest bringing a torch, even though it's shallow; it really brings out the colours on the corals.
Typical Carib Cargo (Wreck) Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 20m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Carib Cargo (Wreck) Wreck History
Year Sunk
1984
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
scuttled
The Carib Cargo was a small inter-island freighter that met its end during Hurricane Klaus in 1984. After sustaining irreparable damage from the storm, the vessel was towed to its current location just off Sandy Island and intentionally sunk to create a new artificial reef. The plan was a resounding success, and the wreck quickly became a cornerstone of Anguilla's diving scene.
Resting at a manageable depth of 20 meters (65 feet), the Carib Cargo is an excellent dive for all skill levels. The wreck was broken into two main sections during its sinking, which now lie about 15 meters apart on a sandy bottom. Divers can explore the intact stern section, complete with its wheelhouse and superstructure, before swimming over to the scattered bow. The open cargo holds provide easy and safe penetration points, offering shelter to schools of fish. Over the decades, the wreck has been colonized by a vibrant array of corals and sponges, attracting a host of marine life including moray eels, barracuda, and countless reef fish.
Nearest Dive Centres to Carib Cargo (Wreck)
Dive shops near Carib Cargo (Wreck)
Friendly Island Divers
The Dive Shop
SXM Divers
The Scuba Shop
Bubble Shop
Octopus Diving Center
Reviews for Carib Cargo (Wreck)
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Carib Cargo (Wreck)
Carib Cargo (Wreck) Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Carib Cargo (Wreck), sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (18.27, -63) (0km away)
August Averages
Air Temperature
28.11°C
83°F
Wind Speed
8.76 m/s
17.0 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1015 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
Book a dive trip in Sandy Island
Guided dives, courses & snorkel tours - instant booking
Where to Stay near Carib Cargo (Wreck)
Prices from Booking.com. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.