Anthony Bell wreck - Andros
The Anthony Bell wreck off Andros is one of those dives that sticks with you, a proper ghost ship story playing out in the shallows. We're talking about a former drug runner, purposely sunk, so it's got a history before you even get wet. We love that it sits upright, almost perfectly intact, a real pleasure to navigate. You’ll find the wheelhouse still largely there, and the cargo holds are open, inviting you to peek inside, especially with the ambient light filtering down. It’s not a deep dive, maybe 15 metres or so, which means good bottom time and plenty of light. Parrotfish graze on the encrusted railings, and we often spot nurse sharks tucked under the stern. Keep an eye out for schooling snapper around the bow, especially if there's a gentle current. This wreck is perfect for anyone who enjoys exploring a structure that still feels like a ship, not just a pile of debris, and it’s shallow enough that even newer wreck divers can get a real sense of accomplishment without feeling pressured. Go on a sunny morning; the light really brings out the colours of the sponges and corals that are steadily reclaiming it.
- Location
- Andros, Bahamas, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 25.015919, -77.570070
- Type
- wreck
Wreck History - Anthony Bell wreck
- Vessel Type
- fishing vessel
- Cause
- scuttled
The Anthony Bell is not a wreck born of tragedy, but one of purpose. This former 90-foot steel-hulled shrimping vessel was intentionally sunk off the coast of Andros to serve as an artificial reef, beginning a new life as a premier dive site. Stripped of hazards and carefully placed on a sandy bottom, it was given to the sea to become a haven for marine life and an underwater playground for divers. Its accessible depth and intact structure make it one of the most popular wrecks in the area.
Today, the Anthony Bell sits perfectly upright, inviting exploration. Divers can easily circumnavigate the vessel, admiring the vibrant corals and sponges that now encrust its surfaces. The open wheelhouse is a favorite photo spot and is often home to a resident barracuda or a school of glassy sweepers. The surrounding sand flats are a great place to spot stingrays, while the wreck itself attracts groupers, snappers, and the occasional reef shark. It's a textbook example of a successful artificial reef program and a must-do dive for anyone visiting Andros.
Marine Protected Area: Southwest New Providence Marine Managed Area
Nearby Dive Sites in Andros
- Airplane Wreck - 10-25m (wreck)
- Andros Island - Amphitheatre
- Back Side of the Blue Hole (cenote)
- BAHAMA SEAS - 4m (wreck)
- BBC Wreck (wreck)
- Berry Islands - 5-20m (reef)
- Big Whale East Reef (reef)
- Big Whale North Reef (reef)
- Big Whale Reef North - 20m (reef)
- Bird Cay South reef - 5-20m (reef)
- Blue Hole 2nd Level (cenote)
- Caribe Breeze Wreck - 10-30m (wreck)
- Coco Cay - 12m
- DC3 Wall (wall)
- GOLDFINGER - 50m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Anthony Bell wreck
Marine Life in Andros
Home to 396 recorded species including 339 reef fish, 22 hard corals, 11 whales & dolphins, 5 sharks & rays, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 octopus & squid.
Notable Species
- Blainville's Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
- Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) - Hard Corals
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
- Finger Coral (Porites porites) - Hard Corals
- Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
- Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
- Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) - Hard Corals
- French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
- Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
- Blueman (Scarus vetula) - Reef Fish
- Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus) - Reef Fish
- Grooved brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis) - Hard Corals
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophyllia natans) - Hard Corals
- Bluestriped Grunt (Haemulon sciurus) - Reef Fish