Le Dahlia - Saint-Pierre
Le Dahlia isn't just a wreck; it's a slice of history, frozen in time off Saint-Pierre. This steamship, sunk in the catastrophic 1902 volcanic eruption, rests upright, making it a surprisingly accessible and poignant dive. As you descend, the sheer scale becomes apparent, her hull draped in sponges and soft corals, a testament to the sea's reclamation. We particularly love the bow section, often teeming with schooling fish, while the stern offers deeper penetration opportunities for those with the right training. There's an eerie beauty to exploring the Dahlia. You can still make out the outline of the deck, the cargo holds, even the ghostly silhouette of the propeller. Look closely and you'll spot moray eels peeking from crevices and the occasional turtle gliding past. Our favourite time to dive it is mid-morning, when the sunlight filters down, illuminating the wreck’s contours and the clouds of chromis darting above. It’s a dive that suits those who appreciate both history and the subtle beauty of a well-preserved artificial reef.
- Location
- Saint-Pierre, Martinique, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 14.740867, -61.178530
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 10-30m
Marine Protected Area: Marine Du Prêcheur - Albert Falco
Best Time to Dive in Saint-Pierre
The warmest water temperatures in Saint-Pierre 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: 25.2°C)
- February: 27.4°C (air: 25.2°C)
- March: 27.4°C (air: 25.5°C)
- April: 27.4°C (air: 26.6°C)
- May: 27.4°C (air: 27.6°C)
- June: 27.4°C (air: 27.7°C)
- July: 27.4°C (air: 27.4°C)
- August: 27.4°C (air: 27.8°C)
- September: 27.4°C (air: 28.1°C)
- October: 27.4°C (air: 27.7°C)
- November: 27.4°C (air: 26.8°C)
- December: 27.4°C (air: 25.8°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Saint-Pierre
- Canyons de Babodie - 15-30m (wall)
- Club de plongée de Fond Capot
- DALHIA - 25m (wreck)
- Le Roraima (wreck)
- Nahoon Wreck - 20-35m (wreck)
- Raisinier - 8-20m (reef)
- Roraima Wreck - 30-50m (wreck)
- ROSE MILLICENT - 50m (wreck)
- Site de Plongée La Perle
- TURTLE DOVE (PROBABLY) - 30m (wreck)
- WESTERN STAR - 15m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Le Dahlia
Marine Life in Saint-Pierre
Home to 319 recorded species including 281 reef fish, 17 whales & dolphins, 7 sharks & rays, 3 sea urchins, 2 other, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs.
Notable Species
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Bridled Dolphin (Stenella attenuata) - Whales & Dolphins
- Blackfish (Globicephala macrorhynchus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Bornean Dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) - Whales & Dolphins
- Porcupine (Diodon holocanthus) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
- Bastard soldierfish (Myripristis jacobus) - Reef Fish
- Atlantic Bumper (Chloroscombrus chrysurus) - Reef Fish
- Puffer (Sphoeroides spengleri) - Reef Fish
- Cuvier's Beaked Whale (Ziphius cavirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
- Kingston (Decapterus macarellus) - Reef Fish
- Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) - Reef Fish
- Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
- Balao (Hemiramphus balao) - Reef Fish
- Spotted Goatfish (Pseudupeneus maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Ballyhoo (Hemiramphus brasiliensis) - Reef Fish
- Goldspot Goby (Gnatholepis thompsoni) - Reef Fish
- Grunt (Haemulon plumierii) - Reef Fish
- Blueman (Scarus vetula) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Le Dahlia
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