JOHN R PENROSE - South Coast
The John R Penrose isn’t your typical deep Caribbean wreck. She’s shallow, really shallow, often just a metre or two under the surface, making her feel less like a dive and more like a snorkel with serious bragging rights. We love her for that accessibility, and frankly, for the history. Sunk way back in 1923, she's practically part of the reef now, a skeletal outline of her former self, blending seamlessly with the surrounding patch coral. We’ve spent hours here just floating above her, watching the sunlight dapple through the water, illuminating schools of tiny baitfish that shimmer like scattered glitter. Keep an eye out for juvenile French angelfish darting amongst the broken timbers, and we’ve often spotted small nurse sharks tucked under the larger sections. Our favourite part? The way the wreck creates these little sheltered pockets, perfect for macro photography, especially in the early mornings before the breeze picks up too much. It’s a gentle introduction to wreck diving, ideal for newer divers or those who prefer a long, relaxed exploration without the pressure of depth.
- Location
- South Coast, Barbados, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 13.091111, -59.604443
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 3m
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
- Bow Bells Reef (reef)
- CARINTILLES - 3m (wreck)
- Carlisle Bay - 3-20m (wreck)
- Cobblers Reef (reef)
- Freights Bay (reef)
- FRIARS CRAIG - 14m (wreck)
- Friars Craig Wreck - 8-18m (wreck)
- mv Brianna H - IMO6511908 - 24m (wreck)
- MV Trident - 18m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to JOHN R PENROSE
- G Fish Watersports Barbados - ["PADI"]
- West Side Scuba Centre - ["PADI"]
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
- Slippery Dick (Halichoeres bivittatus) - Reef Fish
- Dusky Damselfish (Stegastes adustus) - Reef Fish
- Devilfish (Ophioblennius atlanticus) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Horse-eye Jack (Caranx latus) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
- Greater Soapfish (Rypticus saponaceus) - Reef Fish
- French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
- Hamlet (Gymnothorax moringa) - Reef Fish
- Molly Miller (Labrisomus nuchipinnis) - Reef Fish
- Flamefish (Apogon maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Blackfin Blenny (Paraclinus nigripinnis) - Reef Fish
- Saddled Blenny (Malacoctenus triangulatus) - Reef Fish
- Rusty Goby (Priolepis hipoliti) - Reef Fish
- Pearl Blenny (Entomacrodus nigricans) - Reef Fish
- Butterbun (Chaetodon striatus) - Reef Fish
- Sand Stargazer (Dactyloscopus tridigitatus) - Reef Fish
- Slender Mojarra (Eucinostomus jonesii) - Reef Fish
- Sergeant-major (Abudefduf saxatilis) - Reef Fish
- Mulet (Mugil curema) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for JOHN R PENROSE
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