Kathryn Wreck

Best months: Jan–Mar

Protected Area

Ocho Rios Protected Area

Why dive here

With 361+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, bull sharks, eagle rays, nurse sharks and seahorses - Kathryn Wreck offers some of Ocho Rios's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 27-31°C, warmest August, September, October.

Best timeJan–Mar

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Bull Sharks, Eagle Rays, Nurse Sharks and Seahorses · 361+ species recorded

Water27-31°C · warmest August, September, October

CharacterWreck dive · max 10-18m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Kathryn Wreck, just off Ocho Rios, feels like stepping into a perfectly set-up underwater diorama. This old steel minesweeper sits upright, shallow enough that even newer divers can spend real time exploring her decks and superstructure, peaking at 18m. We love how the Caribbean light penetrates right down, illuminating the schools of cardinal soldierfish that hang in the shadows, particularly in the mid-morning sun. You can duck into the small open sections, often finding a black moray peeking out or a feisty dusky damselfish guarding its territory. It’s an excellent site for photographers, especially with those curious little American crested pipefish blending into the corals, if you have the patience to spot them. The corals themselves, like Lamarck's sheet coral, have really taken hold, transforming the wreck into a vibrant artificial reef. We’ve had some fantastic encounters here with great barracuda cruising by, observing us with an unnerving calm. Our favourite moments are usually spent just hovering over the bow, watching the ballet of butterflyfish and hogfish picking through the debris. It’s an easy, rewarding dive, perfect for getting comfortable around a solid structure, and consistently delivers good viewing without strong currents to contend with.