CARMINA - Los Roques Archipelago

Carmina, for us, is a standout in Los Roques, not just another hunk of metal on the seabed. This 91-metre carrier went down in ‘76, breaking apart into three main sections that are now completely encrusted. We love that you can still make out the superstructure, the huge cargo holds, and even the stern with its rudder. Dropping down, the first thing that hits you is the sheer scale – it’s big enough to feel like an expedition. The wreck itself is a magnet for life. We’ve finned past huge schools of tarpon circling the holds, barracuda lurking in the shadows, and often see nurse sharks resting under the larger plates. The amount of orange cup coral here is incredible, spilling across every surface and creating these vibrant patches against the grey steel. For photographers, the bow section, draped in soft corals, makes for some dramatic wide-angle shots, especially with the clear Caribbean light filtering through. This is a dive that suits those who appreciate history and the way the ocean reclaims its own, offering plenty to explore without being overly deep or technically demanding.

Location
Los Roques Archipelago, Venezuela, South America
Coordinates
11.900000, -64.600000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m

Wreck History - CARMINA

Year Sunk
1976
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
3,892 GRT

Built in Canada in 1948, the cargo carrier Carmina served for nearly three decades before its final, fateful voyage. In June 1976, while en route from Trinidad to Costa Rica, the vessel ran into trouble in the stunning but hazardous Los Roques Archipelago off the coast of Venezuela. The Carmina ran hard aground on a reef just 700 meters from the northern coast of Isla la Blanquilla, where it was battered by the sea and eventually succumbed, sinking to the seabed.

Today, the Carmina is a fantastic wreck dive, resting in 20 meters of warm, clear Caribbean water. Its nearly 50 years on the bottom have allowed for spectacular coral growth, transforming the steel hull into a vibrant, living reef. Divers can explore the large, relatively intact structure, swimming through its cargo holds and around the superstructure, which are now patrolled by schools of tropical fish, moray eels, and crustaceans. The wreck's moderate depth makes it an ideal site for a wide range of divers, offering a perfect blend of maritime history and thriving marine biodiversity.

Best Time to Dive in Los Roques Archipelago

The warmest water temperatures in Los Roques Archipelago occur in January, averaging 27.5°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.5°C (air: 26.4°C)
  • February: 27.5°C (air: 26.2°C)
  • March: 27.5°C (air: 26.2°C)
  • April: 27.5°C (air: 26.7°C)
  • May: 27.5°C (air: 27.2°C)
  • June: 27.5°C (air: 27.5°C)
  • July: 27.5°C (air: 27.6°C)
  • August: 27.5°C (air: 28.1°C)
  • September: 27.5°C (air: 28.7°C)
  • October: 27.5°C (air: 28.6°C)
  • November: 27.5°C (air: 27.8°C)
  • December: 27.5°C (air: 27.2°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Los Roques Archipelago

Nearest Dive Centres to CARMINA

Marine Life in Los Roques Archipelago

Home to 342 recorded species including 288 reef fish, 24 hard corals, 17 sharks & rays, 3 other, 3 seagrass & algae, 3 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for CARMINA

Based on average water temperature of 27.5°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