Barbados · Barbados · Wreck
Friars Craig
A 1985 divers' wreck now full of nooks and crannies
Friars Craig is a 52 m (170 ft) freighter sunk deliberately for divers in 1985 off the south coast of Barbados. Since the sinking, the site has gradually turned into a place of intricate nooks and crannies for marine life, and the site runs from 9 to 18 m (30 to 60 ft), within reach of newer divers.
Also known as Friar's Craig, Friars Craig Wreck And Roundbar Reef.
Where it is and how deep
No published position for this site — the map shows Barbados and its other sites; operators know the mooring.
The dive
Hurricane Ivan struck the site in 2004, and the freighter now lies in fragments across the sea floor about 1.6 km (1 mile) off the south coast. Reef balls beside the wreck carry heavy growth, and the dive often moves on to Roundbar Reef nearby, where turtles, trumpetfish, moray eels and flying gurnards are common.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Friars Craig
- Type
- Freighter
- Length
- 52 m (171 ft)
- Sunk
- 1985
- Cause
- Sunk deliberately for divers in 1985
- Lies
- In fragments about 1.6 km (1 mile) off the south coast, between 9 and 18 m (30 and 60 ft)
Marine life and season
- Sea turtles
| 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
Friars Craig - A Colorful Wreck - Barbados - Detailed History · WaterTrek 360 on YouTube
Sources
- Barbados' Top Dive Sites — Dive West Side Scuba
- Barbados Wreck Diving — Totally Barbados
- Diving in Barbados — Wikivoyage
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