Carlisle Bay - South Coast

Carlisle Bay isn't just one dive site; it's a whole playground. We love it because you’ve got six wrecks, all in a beginner-friendly depth range of 3 to 20 metres. It’s perfect for new divers, but even experienced folks will find plenty to amuse themselves for a couple of dives. Our favourite wreck has to be the **Berwyn**, a freighter that sank in 1919. It’s surprisingly intact, with huge cargo holds you can peek into. The light filtering down through the open decks gives it a moody, atmospheric feel. What really makes Carlisle Bay shine, though, is how marine life has absolutely taken over these ships. You’ll weave around massive schools of grunts and snapper, so thick they almost obscure the wreck itself. Keep an eye out for curious green sea turtles gliding by, and we’ve often spotted seahorses clinging to the growth on the **Bajan Queen** or **Eillon**. The shallow depth means fantastic bottom times, and the sheltered bay generally keeps currents to a minimum. It’s a great spot to practice your buoyancy or just spend a relaxed afternoon exploring history and marine life.

Location
South Coast, Barbados, Caribbean
Coordinates
13.075000, -59.620000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3-20m
Difficulty
Beginner

Wreck History - Carlisle Bay

Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
scuttled

Carlisle Bay isn't a single wreck, but a stunning underwater marine park and a premier wreck diving destination in Barbados. Located just off the coast of Bridgetown, the bay was designated a protected marine area to preserve its rich history and vibrant ecosystem. To enhance the site for divers and create an artificial reef, six different vessels were deliberately sunk here over the years, creating an underwater playground for divers of all skill levels.

The wrecks lie in shallow water, ranging from just 3 to 20 meters, making them accessible even to novice divers and snorkelers. The collection includes the Berwyn, a World War I French tugboat; the Bajan Queen, a beloved party boat; a former drug boat, and several barges. Over time, these structures have been completely colonized by marine life. Divers can spend an entire dive swimming from one wreck to the next, encountering schools of fish, moray eels, and the bay's famous population of sea turtles and seahorses, all in one incredible location.

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 Carlisle Bay

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 Carlisle Bay

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