CHAVIN - Caribbean Coast

We’ve always been a bit torn on the Caribbean side of Guatemala. It’s got a different rhythm, sure, but then you drop onto the Chavin and everything makes sense. This isn’t some pristine, picture-postcard reef; it’s a proper wreck dive, dark and moody, sitting flat at 9 metres. The Chavin, a 78-meter motor vessel, went down in 1974. Forty-odd years later, she’s a home for everything that swims by. The hull is still surprisingly intact, a massive steel shadow on the sandy bottom. You can peer into the deeper sections, though penetration isn't advised given her 'dangerous wreck' classification – a nice reminder to stick to what’s safe. Our favourite part is the bow, especially on a sunny day when the light penetrates just enough to illuminate the school of horse-eye jacks often circling there. They're surprisingly bold. We’d suggest going early in the morning. The visibility tends to be better before the afternoon chop, and you get that quiet, almost eerie feeling of having the wreck to yourself. It’s a fantastic site for newer wreck divers, or anyone who just loves the historical aspect. You won’t find riotous colours, but you will find atmosphere, scale, and a healthy dose of Caribbean grit.

Location: Caribbean Coast, Guatemala, Central America
Coordinates: 15.833333, -87.950000
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 9m

Marine Protected Area: Punta de Manabique

Best Time to Dive in Caribbean Coast

The warmest water temperatures in Caribbean Coast occur in January, averaging 27.7°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 27.7°C (air: 25.3°C)
February: 27.7°C (air: 25.4°C)
March: 27.7°C (air: 26.6°C)
April: 27.7°C (air: 27.6°C)
May: 27.7°C (air: 28.5°C)
June: 27.7°C (air: 28.1°C)
July: 27.7°C (air: 27.6°C)
August: 27.7°C (air: 27.6°C)
September: 27.7°C (air: 27.8°C)
October: 27.7°C (air: 27.3°C)
November: 27.7°C (air: 26.1°C)
December: 27.7°C (air: 25.1°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to CHAVIN

Marine Life in Caribbean Coast

Home to 459 recorded species including 380 reef fish, 32 hard corals, 12 other, 8 sharks & rays, 6 sea urchins, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Redear Herring (Harengula humeralis) - Reef Fish
Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
Thin leaf lettuce coral (Agaricia tenuifolia) - Hard Corals
Grunt (Haemulon plumierii) - Reef Fish
Fray (Jenkinsia lamprotaenia) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) - Reef Fish
Blue Parrotfish (Sparisoma chrysopterum) - Reef Fish
Threespot Damselfish (Stegastes planifrons) - Reef Fish
Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) - Reef Fish
Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
Cola (Ocyurus chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Broad Shad (Gerres cinereus) - Reef Fish
Slippery Dick (Halichoeres bivittatus) - Reef Fish
Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for CHAVIN

Based on average water temperature of 27.7°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