CARIDAD
Protected Area
St. James Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
Why dive here
With 476+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, dolphins, eagle rays and humpback whales - CARIDAD offers some of St. Thomas & St. John's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 27°C.
The Caridad, lying in a shallow, sandy patch off St. Thomas, is one of our favourite wreck dives for when you just want to relax and explore without any depth concerns. This 30-meter motor vessel, sunk after developing a leak back in 1970, is now completely draped in soft corals and sponges. You can swim right over the top, maybe peer into the collapsed wheelhouse, or follow the line of the hull as it gently curves into the sand. What we really love about the Caridad is how approachable it is. It’s a perfect site for new divers getting comfortable with wreck exploration, or for photographers who want ample light and bottom time. Keep an eye out for the resident green morays tucked into the engine room, and we’ve often seen schools of snapper hovering just above the deck. The whole wreck has settled nicely, feeling more like a natural reef formation than a sunken ship these days.
Typical CARIDAD 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.
CARIDAD Wreck History
Year Sunk
1970
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown
Resting in just six meters of water, the Caridad is one of the most accessible wrecks in the US Virgin Islands. This 30-meter motor vessel met its end on Valentine's Day in 1970 when it developed a leak while at anchor and slowly sank to the shallow seabed. Its convenient depth makes it a fantastic site for novice divers, snorkelers, and underwater photographers looking for a long, relaxed dive with plenty of bottom time.
Today, the Caridad is a thriving artificial reef, though its classification as a 'dangerous wreck' suggests divers should be cautious of sharp, deteriorating metal. The structure is home to a vibrant community of Caribbean marine life, including schools of snapper, sergeant majors, and the occasional turtle or stingray seeking shelter. Exploring the wreck offers a perfect introduction to the unique thrill of diving on sunken history.
Nearest Dive Centres to CARIDAD
Dive shops near CARIDAD
Low Key Watersports
Low Key Watersports, Inc.
Red Fish Underwater LLC
Admiralty Dive Center
Coral World Ocean and Reef lnitiative, Inc.
Aqua Marine
Reviews for CARIDAD
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for CARIDAD
CARIDAD Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for CARIDAD, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (18.32, -64.9) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
27.08°C
81°F
Air Temperature
27.54°C
82°F
Wind Speed
8.86 m/s
17.2 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1014.9 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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