MABCO 190 - Tobago
MABCO 190, a barge sunk back in '77, sits upright in just 13 metres of water, a real classic for an easy, rewarding wreck dive in Tobago. We love it because it's so accessible – perfect for newer wreck divers or those looking for a relaxed second dive. The visibility here is usually good, letting you take in the entire structure, its cargo holds now open to the sun and colonised by everything from shy moray eels tucked into crevices to schools of snapper zipping around the superstructure. Our favourite part is swimming through the main deck, imagining the tug 'MABCO 180' pulling her just before she went down. You’ll spot the anchor chain still draped over the bow, a testament to her last journey. It’s not a massive wreck, but the compact size means you can really take your time exploring the nooks and crannies. Look closely at the cargo holds; we often find nurse sharks resting on the sandy bottom inside. It’s a gentle dive, making it ideal for photographers too, especially when the light streams through the water columns, illuminating the wreck in the late morning.
- Location
- Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 10.500000, -61.583332
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 13m
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
- ADVENTURER 1 (POSSIBLY) - 5m (wreck)
- AGHIA ANASTASIA - 36m (wreck)
- ATHELBRAE - 6m (wreck)
- BALABAC - 3m (wreck)
- BALTIC RESCUER - 7m (wreck)
- BCSL ENDEAVOUR - 26m (wreck)
- BEER CAT - 7m (wreck)
- BIRD OF PARADISE - 5m (wreck)
- Black Jack Hole (reef)
- Black Jack Hole (wall)
- BONANZA - 0m (wreck)
- CAPTAIN HOWARD - 22m (wreck)
- CITY OF CORINTH - 34m (wreck)
- COROMOTO I - 25m (wreck)
- DAMIEN - 3m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to MABCO 190
- 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 MABCO 190
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