CARINTILLES - South Coast

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.

Location
South Coast, Barbados, Caribbean
Coordinates
13.097500, -59.623780
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3m

Wreck History - CARINTILLES

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.

Marine Protected Area: Carslisle Bay

Best Time to Dive in South Coast

The warmest water temperatures in South Coast occur in January, averaging 28.0°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.0°C (air: 26.1°C)
  • February: 28.0°C (air: 26.1°C)
  • March: 28.0°C (air: 26.4°C)
  • April: 28.0°C (air: 27.0°C)
  • May: 28.0°C (air: 27.7°C)
  • June: 28.0°C (air: 27.8°C)
  • July: 28.0°C (air: 27.6°C)
  • August: 28.0°C (air: 27.8°C)
  • September: 28.0°C (air: 28.1°C)
  • October: 28.0°C (air: 27.9°C)
  • November: 28.0°C (air: 27.2°C)
  • December: 28.0°C (air: 26.6°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in South Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to CARINTILLES

Marine Life in South Coast

Home to 382 recorded species including 336 reef fish, 23 hard corals, 7 other, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 octopus & squid, 2 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for CARINTILLES

Based on average water temperature of 28.0°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°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