CARINTILLES

Best months: Jan–Dec

Protected Area

Carslisle Bay

Why dive here

With 379+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, humpback whales, octopuses and orcas - CARINTILLES offers some of South Coast's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 28°C.

Marine lifeBarracuda, Dolphins, Humpback Whales, Octopuses and Orcas · 379+ species recorded

Water28°C · warmest January, February, March

CharacterWreck dive · max 3m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Carintilles, or what’s left of her, is a personal favourite on the South Coast. Sunk during Hurricane David in '79, she’s a shallow wreck, barely 3 metres deep, making her perfect for a long, relaxed dive or even a snorkel if you’re staying nearby. You won’t be dropping down into dark holds here; instead, you’ll find her hull splayed across the rocky breakwater, creating a network of nooks and crannies that are just begging to be explored. We love watching the sunlight play through the shattered hull, illuminating schools of tiny baitfish that shimmer like scattered jewels. Look closely among the twisted metal and you'll spot sergeant majors guarding their purple egg patches, territorial little things, always ready for a chase. Parrotfish often graze the algae from the wreck, their crunching audible even over your own breathing. While she’s no intact freighter, her broken character is her charm. You can spend an hour here, just drifting, discovering something new with every pass. Ideal for newer divers, photographers looking for dramatic light, or anyone who enjoys a leisurely poke around a piece of history. Dive it slowly, let your eyes adjust, and the wreck truly comes alive.

Typical CARINTILLES Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Today05:4818:1612h 28m daylightGolden hour 17:47

CARINTILLES Wreck History

Year Sunk

1979

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

storm

The Carintilles is a victim of one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, Hurricane David. In August 1979, the 44-meter motor vessel was under tow by the tug 'Pelican' when the hurricane's immense power struck Barbados. The tow line snapped, leaving the Carintilles at the mercy of the raging seas. It was helplessly driven aground onto the rocky breakwater on the south side of Bridgetown, where it was battered and broken by the waves.

Lying in just three meters of water, the remnants of the Carintilles offer an incredibly accessible wreck dive. It's an ideal site for snorkelers, freedivers, and scuba divers taking their very first breaths underwater. The wreckage is scattered across the shallow bottom, now encrusted with coral and teeming with juvenile fish and other reef creatures. This site provides a stark and fascinating look at the destructive power of nature and the resilient beauty of the marine life that follows in its wake.