La rené (wreck) - Sandy Island

We often find ourselves drawn to the purposeful sinking of a wreck, and La René is no exception. This former tugboat, sitting upright at 36 meters near Sandy Island, feels like it was put there just for us divers. Our favorite detail is how the wheelhouse has slid forward, creating this dramatic, almost theatrical opening into the upper decks. You can peer into the engine room, and the holds are wide open, making for easy penetration for those comfortable with overhead environments. This isn’t a wreck that’s been stripped bare; you still see the working parts, now softened by a layer of sponge and hydroids. Schools of glassy sweepers hover in the shadows, and we’ve spotted nurse sharks tucked under the stern. Keep an eye out for green morays poking their heads from pipes. The vis here is usually excellent, so you get the full grandeur of the wreck appearing out of the blue. We think it’s a perfect intermediate dive, offering enough to explore without being overly complex, and the depth means you’ll want to watch your bottom time. Dive this one early in the morning before any potential currents pick up.

Location

Sandy Island, Anguilla, Caribbean

Coordinates

18.082100, -63.147800

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

36m

Difficulty

Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: Sandy Island