CAPTAIN HOWARD - Tobago

The Captain Howard, a fishing vessel built in ’64, went down in rough seas back in 1980. Now she rests upright at a comfortable 22 meters, just off Tobago’s coast. We love a good wreck, and this one has settled into its new role beautifully. The ship’s superstructure is still largely intact, allowing for some straightforward penetration if you’re comfortable with it – think wheelhouse, engine room access. Even if you prefer to stay outside, there’s plenty to explore. The deck is a riot of colour now, encrusted with sponges and hard corals. Look closely for moray eels tucked into the shadowed compartments, and keep an eye out for schools of snapper swirling around the bow. The fish are curious here, often swimming quite close. We’d suggest diving this one in the late morning, after any overnight surface chop has died down, for the best light on the deck. It’s a great site for photographers keen on capturing that classic wreck shot, and suitable for advanced open water divers looking for a mellow but interesting dive.

Location
Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago, Caribbean
Coordinates
10.040000, -61.978333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
22m

Wreck History - CAPTAIN HOWARD

Year Sunk
1980
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
storm

The Captain Howard served as a working fishing vessel for 16 years after its construction in 1964. Its career came to an abrupt end on December 3, 1980, while navigating the waters off Tobago. Caught in very rough seas, the vessel began taking on water and eventually succumbed to the storm, sinking to the seabed.

Resting at a depth of 22 meters, the Captain Howard is now an intriguing dive site accessible to intermediate divers. The wreck is classified as a 'dangerous wreck,' suggesting divers should exercise caution due to potential entanglement hazards from old fishing nets or jagged, deteriorating metal. Despite this, it serves as an excellent artificial reef, attracting a wide variety of Caribbean marine life. Divers can expect to see schools of colorful reef fish, moray eels, and crustaceans making their home in the remains of this once-active fishing boat.

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 CAPTAIN HOWARD

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 CAPTAIN HOWARD

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