KARINA I

Best months: Dec–Feb

Protected Area

Punta de Manabique

Why dive here

With 447+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, eagle rays, nurse sharks, orcas and seahorses - KARINA I offers some of Caribbean Coast's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 27-31°C, warmest June, August, September.

Best timeDec–Feb

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Eagle Rays, Nurse Sharks, Orcas and Seahorses · 447+ species recorded

Water27-31°C · warmest June, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 10m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Karina I, resting in a shallow 10 metres, is a proper time capsule. We love how accessible this wreck is; it's practically an open invitation to explore. This steamship, driven aground by Tropical Storm Laura back in '71, feels more like an old friend than a forgotten vessel. You can still make out the superstructure, a ghostly silhouette against the blue, and the hull is draped in sponges and soft corals, a living tapestry. Even though it’s shallow, there’s plenty to poke around in. Light filters through gaps, illuminating schools of snapper that dart through the holds. Keep an eye out for moray eels tucked into crevices, their heads peeking out, curious but shy. We'd suggest going in the morning; the water often has a glassy calm then, and the early light really makes the colours pop. It's a relaxed dive, ideal for anyone who appreciates a bit of history and the way nature reclaims what’s been lost.