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Shipwreck Cove

Shipwreck Cove, located on Buck Island in the United States Virgin Islands, is a must-visit dive site for new and experienced scuba divers. One of the main attractions at this site is the Cartanza, an old naval supply ship that now serves as an underwater playground for divers and snorkelers.

The wreckage of the Cartanza is teeming with marine life, offering a captivating experience for underwater enthusiasts. Dive into the clear waters and encounter stingrays, porcupine pufferfish, yellowtail snapper, Caribbean reef sharks, and turtles. The visibility at Shipwreck Cove is an impressive 20 meters, ensuring that divers can fully appreciate the vibrant underwater scenery.

Located approximately 40 minutes from St Thomas, Shipwreck Cove is easily accessible from Charlotte Amalie. Despite being subject to the forces of hurricanes, the Cartanza remains largely intact, albeit broken up into three distinct sections. The highest point of the shipwreck sits at a depth of 25 feet, while the deepest reaches 45 feet. This range is ideal for both beginners and experienced divers, allowing for a memorable exploration of the underwater world.

In addition to the shipwreck itself, Shipwreck Cove offers a nearby reef that adds to the diversity of the site. Whether you prefer diving or snorkeling, this location has something to offer everyone. Immerse yourself in the rich marine ecosystem and discover the beauty and wonders of Shipwreck Cove on Buck Island.

Diving Conditions Score for Shipwreck Cove

7.6
Good

Good diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Shipwreck Cove

Depth

16m

Visibility

20m

Experience Level

beginner

Weather Conditions for Shipwreck Cove

Wave Height

1.48m

Wind Speed

36.3 m/s

Water Temp

28.3°C

Visibility

39.38km

Cloud Cover

2%

Wave Period

5.45s

Air Temperature

26.5°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Shipwreck Cove
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Shipwreck Cove

Best time to dive: 6:00 with score 7.047033333333333/10. Water conditions: Waves 1.54m, Wind 33.9 m/s.Best night dive time: 18:00 with score 6.4372/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Shipwreck Cove: 06:00
Sunset at Shipwreck Cove: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Shipwreck Cove are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
6:00

Score: 7.0/10
Waves: 1.54m (5.45s), Wind: 33.9 m/s

🌞
Safest Overall
11:00

Score: 7.0/10
Waves: 1.44m (5.4s), Wind: 31.3 m/s

🌙
Best Night
18:00

Score: 6.4/10
Waves: 1.46m, Wind: 29.7 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Shipwreck Cove
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Shipwreck Cove

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for Shipwreck Cove

Winter

Avg. Score: 9.2/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for Shipwreck Cove

January
Score: 9.3
December
Score: 9.2
February
Score: 9.1

Ideal Conditions for Shipwreck Cove

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

26.9°C / 80.4°F

August

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

11.8m / 38.7ft

June

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

2.6m / 8.5ft

January

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Shipwreck Cove

Shipwreck Cove shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with June being the warmest month (27.4°C) and January the coldest (21.9°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 2.6m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). June is usually the driest month with 0.2mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 21, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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