ATHELBRAE - Tobago

The *Athelbrae* is a wreck dive, but it's really more of a historical marker than a full penetration experience. Sitting in just six metres, it’s a perfect chill-out dive, especially if you’ve had a few days of battling currents elsewhere. What we love about it is how accessible the history feels; you can just fin around and imagine the stories. The tanker went down after hitting a mine in 1942, and while much of the hull is broken up, the sheer scale of the plates scattered across the seabed is impressive. You'll spend your time exploring the flattened ribs and plating, now completely encrusted with sponges and hard corals. We've often seen schools of snapper circling the larger metal sections, and our favourite find here is always the garden eels that pop up from the sand nearby. It's an ideal spot for macro photographers, too, with nudibranchs and small crabs hiding in the crevices. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light filtering through the shallow water really brings out the colours on the corals. Perfect for a relaxed last dive of the trip.

Location
Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago, Caribbean
Coordinates
10.054033, -61.861317
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
6m

Wreck History - ATHELBRAE

Year Sunk
1942
Vessel Type
tanker
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
5,420 GRT

The ATHELBRAE was a British tanker caught in the crosshairs of World War II's Battle of the Atlantic, which spilled over into the Caribbean. Tankers were a prime target for Axis forces, and the waters around Trinidad, a key Allied port, were notoriously dangerous. On October 4, 1942, while on a passage from Trinidad to Demerara, the ATHELBRAE's fate was sealed when it struck a German mine.

The explosion inflicted critical damage, but the crew didn't give up. They valiantly fought to save their ship, managing to ground it near Icacos Point in a desperate attempt to prevent it from sinking. Their efforts were in vain; the tanker was too heavily damaged and slipped beneath the waves the following day, becoming another casualty of the war at sea.

Resting in just 6 meters of water, the ATHELBRAE is now a fascinating shallow wreck dive and snorkel site. Its proximity to the surface means it has been broken up by wave action over the decades, but its scattered remains offer a playground for exploration. Divers can identify large sections of the hull, boilers, and other machinery, all of which are now colonized by vibrant coral and teeming with reef fish. It's a tangible piece of WWII history set in a beautiful, sunlit underwater landscape.

Best Time to Dive in Tobago

The warmest water temperatures in Tobago occur in January, averaging 28.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.1°C (air: 24.4°C)
  • February: 28.1°C (air: 24.3°C)
  • March: 28.1°C (air: 24.6°C)
  • April: 28.1°C (air: 25.1°C)
  • May: 28.1°C (air: 25.6°C)
  • June: 28.1°C (air: 25.4°C)
  • July: 28.1°C (air: 25.4°C)
  • August: 28.1°C (air: 25.8°C)
  • September: 28.1°C (air: 26.5°C)
  • October: 28.1°C (air: 26.1°C)
  • November: 28.1°C (air: 25.3°C)
  • December: 28.1°C (air: 24.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Tobago

Nearest Dive Centres to ATHELBRAE

Marine Life in Tobago

Home to 344 recorded species including 323 reef fish, 5 other, 4 whales & dolphins, 4 sharks & rays, 2 hard corals, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ATHELBRAE

Based on average water temperature of 28.1°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