Charles L. Brown, wreck - St. Kitts

We’ve spent a fair bit of time exploring the wrecks around St. Kitts, and the *Charles L. Brown* consistently ranks high on our list. It’s a purposeful dive, an old cable-laying vessel scuttled back in the 80s, sitting upright on a sandy bottom at 26 metres. What we love about this one isn't just its history, but how gracefully it's become part of the reef. As you descend, the sheer size of it starts to emerge from the blue, a proper ship shape. The bow is often the first thing you pick out, then the vast open cargo holds. We’d suggest heading straight for those holds; they’re wide open, inviting you inside for a quiet swim-through experience. Sunlight dapples down, illuminating schools of snapper that swirl around the bulkheads. Look closely at the deck plating and superstructure for scorpionfish blending in, their camouflage practically perfect against the encrusting corals. Our favourite spot? Definitely the wheelhouse. It’s a little more broken up, but you can still piece together what it once was. You'll often find a lurking nurse shark tucked away underneath, or a big green moray peeking from a crevice. The *Charles L. Brown* is an intermediate dive, suitable for those with some experience navigating deeper sites and currents, which can pick up a bit on the surface. It’s a fantastic dive for photographers who appreciate the drama of a large, intact wreck, complete with its new, thriving ecosystem.

Location: St. Kitts, St. Kitts & Nevis, Caribbean
Coordinates: 17.463900, -62.993600
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 26m
Difficulty: Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: Sandy Point Reef

Best Time to Dive in St. Kitts

The warmest water temperatures in St. Kitts occur in January, averaging 27.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 27.1°C (air: 25.1°C)
February: 27.1°C (air: 24.8°C)
March: 27.1°C (air: 25.1°C)
April: 27.1°C (air: 25.7°C)
May: 27.1°C (air: 26.9°C)
June: 27.1°C (air: 27.6°C)
July: 27.1°C (air: 27.6°C)
August: 27.1°C (air: 27.9°C)
September: 27.1°C (air: 27.9°C)
October: 27.1°C (air: 27.6°C)
November: 27.1°C (air: 26.8°C)
December: 27.1°C (air: 25.9°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to Charles L. Brown, wreck

Marine Life in St. Kitts

Home to 393 recorded species including 318 reef fish, 27 hard corals, 11 other, 7 whales & dolphins, 7 sharks & rays, 6 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species

Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
Lettuce Coral (Agaricia agaricites) - Hard Corals
Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
Grooved brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis) - Hard Corals
Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophyllia natans) - Hard Corals
Sammy Johnson (Scarus taeniopterus) - Reef Fish
Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus) - Reef Fish
Blackfish (Melichthys niger) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Hogfish (Bodianus rufus) - Reef Fish
Angelfish (Holacanthus tricolor) - Reef Fish
Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Charles L. Brown, wreck

Based on average water temperature of 27.1°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