ATALANTA
Protected Area
Bluefields Bay
Why dive here
With 208+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, oceanic whitetip sharks, orcas and sea turtles - ATALANTA offers some of Negril's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 27°C.
Atalanta is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to in Negril, and honestly, we think it’s a site that really delivers. It’s a shallow wreck, sitting at just 7 meters, which means plenty of bottom time and a relaxed dive. This steamship went down way back in 1889, and you can still make out the bow and stern sections, even if the midship is pretty broken up now. We love how the historical context plays out on the reef here; the ribs and plates are completely encrusted, serving as homes for all sorts of reef fish. You’ll find schools of snapper darting in and out of the skeletal remains, and often a grumpy moray eel peeking from a dark crevice. Our favourite detail is the way the light filters through the structure, making the whole site glow in the afternoon sun. It’s a photographer’s dream, especially when the parrotfish are busy grazing on the coral-covered hull. Due to its depth, Atalanta is perfect for newer divers, but even seasoned wreck enthusiasts will appreciate the atmosphere and the sheer amount of life that’s made this old ship its home. Go early to avoid any crowds, though it’s rarely too busy.
Typical ATALANTA 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.
ATALANTA Wreck History
Year Sunk
1890
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
The steamship Atalanta had a very short career on the seas. Built in April 1889 for the Atalanta Steam Ship Co., the vessel was lost just over a year later. On December 5, 1890, while on a commercial passage from Jamaica to New York, the Atalanta ran aground and became stranded on the Savannah-la-Mar bar. Unable to be freed from the reef, the ship was ultimately abandoned and lost to the sea.
Resting in just 7 meters of warm, clear Jamaican water near Negril, the Atalanta is now a superb dive site for all experience levels. Its shallow grave means long bottom times and excellent light for photography. After more than a century underwater, the wreck's structure has transformed into a bustling artificial reef, encrusted with colorful corals and sponges and sheltering a vibrant community of Caribbean marine life.
Nearest Dive Centres to ATALANTA
Dive shops near ATALANTA
One Love Scuba Center
Marine Life Divers
Sandals Royal Caribbean
Reviews for ATALANTA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ATALANTA
ATALANTA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ATALANTA, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (18.27, -78.37) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
27.49°C
81°F
Air Temperature
28.42°C
83°F
Wind Speed
3.83 m/s
7.4 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1013.3 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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