MV Ambar (Wreck) - Rincon & West Coast

The MV Ambar is our pick for a proper wreck dive in Puerto Rico, a step up from some of the smaller, broken-up sites. It’s sitting upright at 25 metres, and because it’s a relatively intact freighter, there’s a real sense of exploring a ship rather than just a pile of metal. We love the bridge area; the wheelhouse is still there, and sometimes you can peer inside to see barracuda hanging out, perfectly still. Entry can be tricky here, often a negative drop down to the bow line, so it really suits expert divers comfortable with currents and quick descents. Once you’re down, though, the current tends to mellow out around the wreck itself. Look for nurse sharks tucked under the stern and big schools of snapper that swirl around the holds. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, the light filtering through the superstructure gives the wreck a moody, almost ghostly feel. If you’re into penetrating wrecks, some of the cargo holds are open, but we’d suggest leaving those to the very experienced – things can get silty fast. This isn’t a coral garden, it’s a rust garden, and it’s brilliant for it.

Location
Rincon & West Coast, Puerto Rico, Caribbean
Coordinates
18.512800, -67.144700
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
25m
Difficulty
Expert

Marine Protected Area: Tres Palmas de Rincón Marine Reserve

Best Time to Dive in Rincon & West Coast

The warmest water temperatures in Rincon & West Coast occur in January, averaging 27.3°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.3°C (air: 25.6°C)
  • February: 27.3°C (air: 25.3°C)
  • March: 27.3°C (air: 25.3°C)
  • April: 27.3°C (air: 25.9°C)
  • May: 27.3°C (air: 27.0°C)
  • June: 27.3°C (air: 27.8°C)
  • July: 27.3°C (air: 28.0°C)
  • August: 27.3°C (air: 28.2°C)
  • September: 27.3°C (air: 28.3°C)
  • October: 27.3°C (air: 28.1°C)
  • November: 27.3°C (air: 27.1°C)
  • December: 27.3°C (air: 26.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Rincon & West Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to MV Ambar (Wreck)

Marine Life in Rincon & West Coast

Home to 514 recorded species including 430 reef fish, 36 hard corals, 13 sharks & rays, 7 whales & dolphins, 5 seagrass & algae, 4 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for MV Ambar (Wreck)

Based on average water temperature of 27.3°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