DOLORES - Tobago

Dolores isn't one of those wrecks you just drop onto and poke around for a bit. This one's a proper adventure, a real dive. We're talking about a motor vessel, sunk back in '91, and she’s sitting deep, right on the edge of the continental shelf. Maximum depth runs to 60 metres, so this is definitely one for the experienced wreck divers, or those looking to expand their deep diving skills with the right training. The journey down to Dolores is part of the appeal. As you descend, the light fades, and the sheer size of the wreck starts to emerge from the blue. She lies upright, mostly intact, with a slight list to port. We love exploring the bridge area, though watch your buoyancy – silt can be easily stirred. The cargo holds are open, offering some fantastic penetration opportunities if you’re properly trained and equipped, revealing spaces now utterly colonised by sea life. You'll often find schooling jacks circling above the stern, and out on the railings, we’ve spotted moray eels peeking from every crevice. Visibility here can be excellent, often 20 metres or more, which makes the scale of Dolores even more impressive. It's a challenging dive, sure, but the reward is a quiet, profound exploration of a ship that’s become a vibrant, artificial reef.

Location: Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago, Caribbean
Coordinates: 10.833333, -61.500000
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 60m

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to DOLORES

Dive Shop
Tobago Dive Experience - ["PADI"]

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

Goldspot Goby (Gnatholepis thompsoni) - Reef Fish
Molly Miller (Labrisomus nuchipinnis) - Reef Fish
Hamlet (Gymnothorax moringa) - Reef Fish
Spinyhead Blenny (Acanthemblemaria spinosa) - Reef Fish
Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
Saddled Blenny (Malacoctenus triangulatus) - Reef Fish
Slippery Dick (Halichoeres bivittatus) - Reef Fish
Harlequin Bass (Serranus tigrinus) - Reef Fish
Flamefish (Apogon maculatus) - Reef Fish
Cook (Holocentrus adscensionis) - Reef Fish
Yellowhead Wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti) - Reef Fish
French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
Devilfish (Ophioblennius atlanticus) - Reef Fish
Dusky Cardinalfish (Phaeoptyx pigmentaria) - Reef Fish
Conklin's cardinalfish (Phaeoptyx conklini) - Reef Fish
Rusty Goby (Priolepis hipoliti) - Reef Fish
Colon Goby (Coryphopterus dicrus) - Reef Fish
Clown Wrasse (Halichoeres maculipinna) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for DOLORES

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