Carib Cargo (Wreck) - Sandy Island

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.

Location
Sandy Island, Anguilla, Caribbean
Coordinates
17.993900, -63.070400
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m
Difficulty
Beginner

Wreck History - Carib Cargo (Wreck)

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.

Marine Protected Area: Sandy Island

Nearby Dive Sites in Sandy Island

Nearest Dive Centres to Carib Cargo (Wreck)

Marine Life in Sandy Island

Home to 297 recorded species including 247 reef fish, 13 hard corals, 10 other, 6 whales & dolphins, 5 crabs & lobsters, 3 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species