ANGELN - Soufriere & The Pitons

The Angeln. We love this wreck because it’s a proper ship, not some dinky little boat sunk for divers. This container vessel went down in 2010 after taking on water, and at 132 metres long, she’s a big girl, sitting upright at 33 metres. You can really feel the scale of her as you descend onto the bridge structure. The sheer size means you can spend a full dive just exploring the stern, or poking around the massive cargo holds that are now home to schools of snapper and barracuda. Look closely at the superstructure; we often spot turtles cruising past, and the occasional eagle ray glides over the deck. It’s a bit of a deep dive, so it’s best for advanced divers comfortable with their buoyancy, but the visibility is usually excellent, often 20 metres or more. We'd suggest going early in the morning before any potential boat traffic picks up. It's a fantastic site for feeling like you're truly exploring a lost piece of maritime history, not just another artificial reef.

Location
Soufriere & The Pitons, St. Lucia, Caribbean
Coordinates
13.683333, -60.933334
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
33m

Wreck History - ANGELN

Year Sunk
2010
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
scuttled
Tonnage
7,545 GRT

The MV Angeln was a modern, German-managed container ship built in 2004. At 7,545 GRT, it was a significant vessel, actively serving cargo routes throughout the Caribbean. Its life at sea, however, was destined to be a short one, with a final chapter that would transform it from a commercial vessel into a premier diving attraction.

On February 22, 2010, while on passage from Vieux Fort, St. Lucia, to Barbados, the Angeln began taking on water and was in imminent danger of sinking. The crew was safely rescued by the St. Lucian coast guard, but the ship was lost. Seeing an opportunity to create a new marine habitat, local authorities made the decision to tow the stricken vessel to a carefully chosen location and scuttle it. The Angeln was sunk in a controlled manner, ensuring it would land upright and become a world-class artificial reef.

Now resting at a maximum depth of 33 meters near the iconic Pitons, the Angeln is a spectacular dive for advanced divers. As a huge, intact, and modern wreck, it offers an incredible playground for exploration. Divers can swim through its massive, open cargo holds, penetrate the multi-level superstructure, and marvel at the scale of the ship. As a young wreck, it provides a unique chance to witness the fascinating process of colonization as corals, sponges, and fish steadily make this steel giant their new home.

Marine Protected Area: Moule a Chique

Best Time to Dive in Soufriere & The Pitons

The warmest water temperatures in Soufriere & The Pitons occur in January, averaging 27.7°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.7°C (air: 23.3°C)
  • February: 27.7°C (air: 23.4°C)
  • March: 27.7°C (air: 23.7°C)
  • April: 27.7°C (air: 24.5°C)
  • May: 27.7°C (air: 25.3°C)
  • June: 27.7°C (air: 25.3°C)
  • July: 27.7°C (air: 25.1°C)
  • August: 27.7°C (air: 25.4°C)
  • September: 27.7°C (air: 25.7°C)
  • October: 27.7°C (air: 25.4°C)
  • November: 27.7°C (air: 24.6°C)
  • December: 27.7°C (air: 23.9°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Soufriere & The Pitons

Nearest Dive Centres to ANGELN

Marine Life in Soufriere & The Pitons

Home to 255 recorded species including 228 reef fish, 9 whales & dolphins, 6 sharks & rays, 4 seagrass & algae, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ANGELN

Based on average water temperature of 27.7°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°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