TROPIC MERCHANT (PROBABLY) - Diamond Rock
The Tropic Merchant, or what we’re pretty sure is the Tropic Merchant, rests in a modest 10 metres of water on the leeward side of Diamond Rock. It’s not one of those massive freighters you can get lost in, but that’s its charm. You’re looking at the bones of a 1954 motor vessel, gone down in 1974 after springing a leak on its way to St. Lucia. What we love here is the sheer accessibility. You can spend a whole dive just circling the wreck, peering into the open holds and watching the light play on the encrusted metal. Schools of grunts and snapper often mill about the superstructure, and if you’re patient, you’ll spot moray eels tucked into crevices. It’s an easy-going dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who wants a relaxed wreck experience without the pressure of depth or strong currents. Our favourite thing is the way the light filters through the clear Caribbean water, illuminating the wreck and making the colours pop, especially in the late morning.
- Location
- Diamond Rock, Martinique, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 14.493333, -61.091316
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 10m
Marine Protected Area: Cap Salomon
Best Time to Dive in Diamond Rock
The warmest water temperatures in Diamond Rock occur in January, averaging 27.5°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.5°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 27.5°C (air: 25.8°C)
- February: 27.5°C (air: 25.8°C)
- March: 27.5°C (air: 26.2°C)
- April: 27.5°C (air: 27.0°C)
- May: 27.5°C (air: 27.9°C)
- June: 27.5°C (air: 27.9°C)
- July: 27.5°C (air: 27.6°C)
- August: 27.5°C (air: 27.9°C)
- September: 27.5°C (air: 28.1°C)
- October: 27.5°C (air: 27.8°C)
- November: 27.5°C (air: 27.0°C)
- December: 27.5°C (air: 26.3°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Diamond Rock
- Abyss Plongée (wreck)
- Alpha Plongée
- An Dlo - 10-30m (reef)
- Calypso Plongée
- Corail Club Caraïbes
- Diamond s rock - 10-30m (pinnacle)
- Espace Plongée Martinique
- Le Diamant - 10-35m (drift)
- Mada Plongée
- MISSISSIPI - 3m (wreck)
- MORN S - 2m (wreck)
- Nahoon Wreck - 10-30m (wreck)
- Plongée Passion
Nearest Dive Centres to TROPIC MERCHANT (PROBABLY)
- CANOPEE BLEUE
- Deep Turtle
- Espace Plongee Martinique - ["PADI"]
- NATIYABEL - SSI, PADI, CMAS, FFESSM, ANMP
- O FIL DE L’EAU - FFESSM, CMAS
- PLONGEE IMMERSION CARAIBES
Marine Life in Diamond Rock
Home to 369 recorded species including 327 reef fish, 15 whales & dolphins, 8 sharks & rays, 3 seagrass & algae, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 other.
Notable Species
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Greater Soapfish (Rypticus saponaceus) - Reef Fish
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Lawyer (Halichoeres radiatus) - Reef Fish
- Pacific Spotted Scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri) - Reef Fish
- Flamefish (Apogon maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Bastard soldierfish (Myripristis jacobus) - Reef Fish
- Clown Wrasse (Halichoeres maculipinna) - Reef Fish
- Devilfish (Ophioblennius atlanticus) - Reef Fish
- Cook (Holocentrus adscensionis) - Reef Fish
- Jack (Epinephelus adscensionis) - Reef Fish
- Hamlet (Gymnothorax moringa) - Reef Fish
- Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
- Porcupine (Diodon holocanthus) - Reef Fish
- Blackfish (Globicephala macrorhynchus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Spotted Soapfish (Rypticus subbifrenatus) - Reef Fish
- Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) - Reef Fish
- Cluck (Pareques acuminatus) - Reef Fish
- Spotted Goatfish (Pseudupeneus maculatus) - Reef Fish
- French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for TROPIC MERCHANT (PROBABLY)
Based on average water temperature of 27.5°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