Kathryn Wreck - Ocho Rios

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.

Location: Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Caribbean
Coordinates: 18.420000, -77.090000
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 10-18m
Difficulty: Beginner

Marine Protected Area: Ocho Rios Protected Area

Best Time to Dive in Ocho Rios

The warmest water temperatures in Ocho Rios occur in January, averaging 27.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 27.4°C (air: 24.7°C)
February: 27.4°C (air: 24.6°C)
March: 27.4°C (air: 25.1°C)
April: 27.4°C (air: 25.9°C)
May: 27.4°C (air: 27.0°C)
June: 27.4°C (air: 27.6°C)
July: 27.4°C (air: 28.0°C)
August: 27.4°C (air: 28.1°C)
September: 27.4°C (air: 27.9°C)
October: 27.4°C (air: 27.1°C)
November: 27.4°C (air: 26.0°C)
December: 27.4°C (air: 25.1°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to Kathryn Wreck

Sandals Ochi Beach Resort - ["PADI"]
Scubaquatic

Marine Life in Ocho Rios

Home to 367 recorded species including 309 reef fish, 31 hard corals, 7 sharks & rays, 3 seagrass & algae, 3 sea urchins, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
Lettuce Coral (Agaricia agaricites) - Hard Corals
Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
Finger Coral (Porites porites) - Hard Corals
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Sammy Johnson (Scarus taeniopterus) - Reef Fish
Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
Greenblotch Parrotfish (Sparisoma atomarium) - Reef Fish
turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum) - Seagrass & Algae
Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus) - Reef Fish
Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) - Reef Fish
Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
Branched Finger Coral (Porites furcata) - Hard Corals
Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophyllia natans) - Hard Corals
Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) - Hard Corals

Recommended Packing List for Kathryn Wreck

Based on average water temperature of 27.4°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°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