FAIR ISLAND TRADER (POSSIBLY) - Newfoundland

The Fair Island Trader is one of those Newfoundland wrecks we just keep coming back to. It’s barely a dive, really, sitting in maybe five metres of water, but what it lacks in depth it more than makes up for in character. This old wooden schooner, scuttled back in ‘76 after springing a leak, is a ghostly skeleton now. We love finning slowly over the scattered timbers, imagining it full of cargo, heading from Coley’s Point. Visibility can be a bit variable here, depending on the day, but when it’s good, the light plays beautifully through the green-blue water. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of life tucked into the nooks and crannies. We’ve spotted sculpins hunkering down amongst the beams, sometimes a curious lumpfish, and there are always plenty of crabs scuttling across the seabed. It’s an easy, relaxing dive, perfect for photographers wanting to play with ambient light or anyone just wanting a quiet hour with a piece of history. Bring a torch, even in the shallows, to really pick out the details.

Location
Newfoundland, Canada, North America
Coordinates
49.433334, -53.783333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

Marine Protected Area: Deadman's Bay Provincial Park

Best Time to Dive in Newfoundland

The warmest water temperatures in Newfoundland occur in August, averaging 15.9°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 0.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 2.3°C
  • February: 1.1°C
  • March: 0.3°C
  • April: 1.3°C
  • May: 3.9°C
  • June: 7.3°C
  • July: 12.4°C
  • August: 15.9°C
  • September: 14.6°C
  • October: 11.9°C
  • November: 8.0°C
  • December: 4.6°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Newfoundland

Nearest Dive Centres to FAIR ISLAND TRADER (POSSIBLY)

Marine Life in Newfoundland

Home to 72 recorded species including 35 reef fish, 13 whales & dolphins, 7 sharks & rays, 5 seagrass & algae, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 soft corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for FAIR ISLAND TRADER (POSSIBLY)

Based on average water temperature of 7.0°C, currents 2 cm/s.

  • Drysuit - water at 7°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • 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