ALEGRIA NO.1
Why dive here
With 127+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, humpback whales, sea turtles, sperm whales and pufferfish - ALEGRIA NO.1 offers some of Providenciales's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 26-30°C, warmest August, September, October.
The *Alegria No.1* isn't some deep, dark enigma, and that's precisely why we love it. This 30.5-meter motor vessel ran aground on the reef back in '76, later revealing a stash of marijuana in its hold – a proper pirate tale for a dive site. What makes it a standout for us is its accessibility; the wreck sits shallow, with parts of the hull often breaking the surface on a calm day. You'll find the *Alegria* draped in soft corals, a testament to how quickly the reef reclaims its own. We’ve seen schools of snapper circling the bow, and a curious barracuda often hangs out near the stern. Finning through the superstructure, you can almost feel the history. It’s a fantastic spot for photographers, especially when the sun filters through the shallow water, illuminating the colours of the sponges and sea fans. This is a perfect afternoon dive, especially for those who appreciate a wreck with a story you can almost touch.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
ALEGRIA NO.1 Wreck History
Year Sunk
1976
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
The wreck of the ALEGRIA NO.1 has one of the most colorful backstories in the Turks & Caicos. In April 1976, this motor vessel ran hard aground on the treacherous reefs off North Caicos during a storm. When authorities arrived to investigate, they found the ship abandoned-the crew had vanished. A subsequent search of the vessel revealed the reason for their hasty departure: one of its holds was packed with a large shipment of marijuana. The ship was part of the illicit drug trade that plagued the Caribbean during that era.
Deemed impossible to refloat, the ALEGRIA NO.1 was left to the elements. Decades of relentless wave action have since broken the ship apart, scattering its skeletal remains across the reef flat. Visible from the surface, the wreck is a popular and dramatic landmark. Divers and snorkelers can explore the twisted metal framework, now completely integrated into the coral ecosystem. It serves as a unique photo opportunity and a stark reminder of the islands' wild, smugglers' past, while providing a habitat for parrotfish, snapper, and countless other reef dwellers.
Reviews for ALEGRIA NO.1
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ALEGRIA NO.1
ALEGRIA NO.1 Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ALEGRIA NO.1, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (21.68, -72.47) (1km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
86°F · Range: 28.7–31.4°C
Air Temperature
28°C
83°F
Wind Speed
7.73 m/s
15.0 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1013.1 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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