CARRIE BUCKHAM
Protected Area
Palisadoes- Port Royal
Why dive here
With 361+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, bull sharks, eagle rays, nurse sharks and seahorses - CARRIE BUCKHAM offers some of Ocho Rios's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 27°C.
The Carrie Buckham isn't your typical Caribbean wreck dive. We're talking about a tugboat, scuttled in just three metres of water, right in Ocho Rios Bay. It’s an ideal spot if you're looking for something different, especially on a surface interval or if you want a relaxed, shallow exploration. We love how accessible this wreck is. You can practically snorkel it, seeing the entire structure from above. Below the surface, the tugboat's small size means you can really get to know it, poking your head into the wheelhouse or checking out the engine room if you’re comfortable. It’s become a home for all sorts of reef fish; look out for sergeant majors darting in and out of the superstructure, and we’ve often seen small barracuda lurking in the shadows. For photographers, the natural light at this depth is fantastic, painting the wreck in blues and greens. It's a genuinely charming little wreck, perfect for a slow, easy dive without any deep-water stress.
Typical CARRIE BUCKHAM 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.
CARRIE BUCKHAM Wreck History
Vessel Type
barge
Cause
storm
Lying in just three meters of water near Ocho Rios, the Carrie Buckham is one of Jamaica's most accessible and mysterious wrecks. While its exact history is unconfirmed, local lore suggests it was a small barge or tugboat that succumbed to a powerful storm. Its official classification as a 'Dangerous Wreck' is a warning to boat traffic, but for snorkelers and divers, it presents a unique and fascinating shallow-water exploration. Being so close to the surface, the wreck is broken and scattered, with twisted metal and sections of hull creating an underwater labyrinth.
The extreme shallow depth means this site is bathed in sunlight, making it a fantastic spot for underwater photography and for those who prefer snorkeling to scuba. The wreckage has become a thriving nursery for juvenile reef fish, and divers can spend an entire tank exploring the nooks and crannies where moray eels, crabs, and lobsters hide. The Carrie Buckham proves that a wreck doesn't need to be deep or intact to offer a captivating underwater adventure.
Reviews for CARRIE BUCKHAM
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for CARRIE BUCKHAM
CARRIE BUCKHAM Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for CARRIE BUCKHAM, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (18.42, -77.1) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
27.36°C
81°F
Air Temperature
28.09°C
83°F
Wind Speed
4.21 m/s
8.2 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1014.3 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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