ARIMAR - Nassau & New Providence

The Arimar, a sizeable motor vessel that met its end in 1971, now rests in just six metres of water. We love a wreck that’s shallow enough for an extended bottom time, and the Arimar delivers. It’s perfect for newer wreck divers or those who just want to poke around without the pressure of deep stops. The ship ran aground after drifting, so you get a sense of that final struggle as you swim over the twisted metal. The wreck itself is well-broken, with plenty of openings to peek into. You’ll find schools of sergeant majors shimmering around the superstructure, and we’ve often spotted French grunts huddled in the darker sections. On one dive, a spotted moray peered out from a pipe, completely unfazed by our presence. The shallow depth means sunlight penetrates everywhere, painting the scene in blues and greens. It's a relaxed dive, a good spot to practice buoyancy in tighter spaces, and our pick for an afternoon excursion when you want something easy but still interesting.

Location
Nassau & New Providence, Bahamas, Caribbean
Coordinates
25.466667, -76.888336
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
6m

Wreck History - ARIMAR

Year Sunk
1971
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding

In October 1971, the 165-foot motor vessel Arimar was undertaking a long transatlantic voyage from Boca Grande, Florida, to Venice, Italy. Her journey was cut short in the Bahamas when she suffered a catastrophic engine failure. Powerless and adrift, the Arimar was at the mercy of the winds and currents, which pushed her inexorably towards the northern tip of Eleuthera. On October 26th, she ran hard aground on the shallow reef system just south of Egg Island, where the constant force of the waves broke her apart.

Today, the Arimar, often known simply as the Egg Island Wreck, is one of the most famous and beloved shallow wrecks in the Bahamas. Resting in only 6 meters of turquoise water, its rusted bow often pierces the surface, acting as a beacon for divers and snorkelers. The wreckage is scattered across the seafloor, creating a fascinating playground for exploration. Over the decades, it has transformed into a spectacular artificial reef, teeming with corals, sponges, and huge schools of colorful reef fish, making it a must-see site for underwater photographers and marine life enthusiasts.

Best Time to Dive in Nassau & New Providence

The warmest water temperatures in Nassau & New Providence occur in August, averaging 30.4°C (up to 34.0°C). The coolest conditions are in February at 24.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 24.7°C (air: 21.2°C)
  • February: 24.6°C (air: 23.5°C)
  • March: 24.9°C (air: 23.8°C)
  • April: 26.1°C (air: 25.4°C)
  • May: 27.5°C (air: 26.5°C)
  • June: 29.0°C (air: 28.2°C)
  • July: 30.1°C (air: 29.3°C)
  • August: 30.4°C (air: 29.6°C)
  • September: 30.0°C (air: 29.0°C)
  • October: 28.9°C (air: 27.5°C)
  • November: 27.2°C (air: 25.5°C)
  • December: 25.6°C (air: 22.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Nassau & New Providence

Nearest Dive Centres to ARIMAR

Marine Life in Nassau & New Providence

Home to 539 recorded species including 455 reef fish, 24 hard corals, 19 whales & dolphins, 11 sharks & rays, 9 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ARIMAR

Based on average water temperature of 27.4°C, currents 7 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