Barbados · Barbados · Artificial reef
Carlisle Bay
Six wrecks gathered in one sheltered bay
Photo: Pontificalibus · CC0
Carlisle Bay is a protected marine park on the southwest coast of Barbados, holding six wrecks close together in calm, clear water. The bay is sheltered from the strong currents and surges of the north and east coasts, and it is the likeliest place in Barbados to meet turtles and rays.
Also known as Carlisle Bay Marine Park.
Where it is and how deep
13.0874° N, 59.6154° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The bay is a shallow sanctuary from 3 to 16 m (10 to 52 ft), where a dive moves between wrecks lying close together rather than along a single hull. Old cannons, anchors and pylons on the bottom roughly mark the way from one wreck to the next. Sea horses, flying gurnards and batfish are frequent finds, along with frogfish, octopus and barracuda.
Marine life and season
- Sea turtles
- Barracuda
- Frogfish
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Barbados: Boats run all year with no peak month; June to December is the wet season, and August to November hurricane swell can stop the diving.
Dive videos
Barbados Carlisle Bay Marine Park Reefs and Wrecks click https://youtu.be/rPhNRdKoGrw · Lucy Agace Videographer on YouTube
Sources
- Barbados' Top Dive Sites — Dive West Side Scuba
- Dive Sites - Barbados Blue Watersports — Barbados Blue Watersports
- Barbados Wreck Diving — Totally Barbados
- Barbados Diving Guide: SS Stavronikita & Carlisle Bay Wreck Trail — Divernet
- OpenStreetMap — OpenStreetMap
Photo credits
- Turquoise bay dotted with moored yachts and boats, a pale beach and a low town behind, seen through palm fronds by Pontificalibus, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
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