MV Trident - South Coast
The MV Trident is one of our favourite Barbadian wrecks, mainly because of how quickly it’s become a fully-fledged artificial reef. It’s not an ancient wreck, intentionally sunk in 2016, but in less than a decade, it’s completely transformed. Sitting upright at 18m, it’s an easy dive that’s good for most skill levels. We love poking around the hold and engine room, which are still quite open, letting in plenty of light. What makes the Trident special is the sheer density of schooling fish. You’ll find creole wrasse and chromis absolutely everywhere, swirling around the mast and superstructure. Look a little closer, and you’ll spot moray eels tucked into crevices and plenty of lionfish – a reminder to always report sightings to your dive operator. Our top tip? Dive it in the late afternoon. The light filtering through the open sections of the wreck at that time of day is just beautiful, casting long shadows and really highlighting the vibrant blues of the water against the dark metal. It’s a proper, immersive wreck experience without any tricky currents.
- Location
- South Coast, Barbados, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 13.085417, -59.613350
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 18m
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)
- JOHN R PENROSE - 3m (wreck)
- mv Brianna H - IMO6511908 - 24m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to MV Trident
- 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 MV Trident
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