CHERIE - Abaco

Cherie is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to in Abaco. We really appreciate how this old motor vessel, grounded back in ’71 after an engine failure, has slowly become part of the reef itself. She’s just a skeleton now, spread out in the shallows off Carter Cay, nothing like a pristine, intact ship, but that’s precisely what makes her special. You don't need deep diving skills here; it’s practically a snorkel spot at times, with parts of the hull breaking the surface. Descend just a few feet and you’re immediately enveloped by schools of snapper and grunt, darting amongst the rusted ribs. We particularly love poking around the engine room remains, where nurse sharks often snooze in the shadows, and large groupers eye you from dark crevices. Visibility is usually superb, letting the sunlight penetrate every nook and cranny, highlighting the colourful sponges and gorgonians that have taken hold. It's a fantastic site for photographers and newer wreck divers to get a real feel for how the ocean reclaims human artefacts.

Location
Abaco, Bahamas, Caribbean
Coordinates
27.131666, -77.996666
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Walker's Cay National Park

Best Time to Dive in Abaco

The warmest water temperatures in Abaco occur in August, averaging 29.8°C (up to 31.9°C). The coolest conditions are in February at 24.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 24.4°C (air: 20.6°C)
  • February: 24.0°C (air: 22.7°C)
  • March: 24.3°C (air: 23.0°C)
  • April: 25.0°C (air: 24.5°C)
  • May: 25.9°C (air: 25.7°C)
  • June: 27.7°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • July: 29.0°C (air: 28.5°C)
  • August: 29.8°C (air: 28.8°C)
  • September: 29.4°C (air: 28.0°C)
  • October: 28.4°C (air: 26.9°C)
  • November: 26.9°C (air: 24.2°C)
  • December: 25.4°C (air: 21.9°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Abaco

Nearest Dive Centres to CHERIE

Marine Life in Abaco

Home to 372 recorded species including 293 reef fish, 30 hard corals, 16 whales & dolphins, 7 sea snails & nudibranchs, 7 sharks & rays, 5 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for CHERIE

Based on average water temperature of 26.7°C, visibility 20 nmi, currents 4 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories