BEER CAT
Why dive here
With 343+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, humpback whales, sea turtles and frogfish - BEER CAT offers some of Tobago's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 28°C.
The Beer Cat wreck is a strange one, a little tug that decided to go out in a blaze of glory during a Port of Spain gale back in '75. Now it sits in a respectable 7 metres, perfect for a long, relaxed dive. We love this site for its sheer accessibility; you can spend ages tracing the outline of what’s left, which isn't a lot in terms of structure, but provides a fantastic playground for smaller critters. What you'll find here is less about penetration and more about the abundant life that’s made a home on the scattered steel. Look closely and you’ll spot yellowhead jawfish popping in and out of the sand, garden eels swaying in the gentle current, and the occasional southern stingray gliding over the wreck. It’s an ideal spot for macro photographers, or anyone who enjoys a calm, shallow dive where you can truly slow down and observe. We often suggest going in the late afternoon; the light is softer and brings out the colours of the sponges and anemones clinging to the metal. It’s not a grand, imposing wreck, but a quiet, unassuming one that offers its own kind of charm.
Typical BEER CAT Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
BEER CAT Wreck History
Year Sunk
1975
Vessel Type
tugboat
Cause
storm
The story of the "Beer Cat" is a stark reminder of the power of the sea. In July 1975, this small tugboat was caught in a vicious storm while in the Port of Spain harbour. Battered by gale-force winds and mountainous waves, the vessel was tragically smashed to pieces against the port's defenses. Now resting in just 7 meters of water off Tobago, the remains of the "Beer Cat" offer a unique and accessible dive. The wreckage is scattered across the seabed, creating an artificial reef landscape. Divers can explore the debris field, which has become a nursery for juvenile reef fish and a home for moray eels, octopus, and countless crustaceans hiding amongst the metal plates. Its shallow depth and typically calm conditions make it an excellent site for novice divers, photographers, and a perfect spot for a long, relaxing second dive of the day.
Reviews for BEER CAT
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BEER CAT
BEER CAT Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BEER CAT, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (11.21, -60.66) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
28.12°C
83°F
Air Temperature
25.83°C
78°F
Wind Speed
4.39 m/s
8.5 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1013.1 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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