Shipwreck Cove
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
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
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
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.
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.
Score: 7.0/10
Waves: 1.54m (5.45s), Wind: 33.9 m/s
Score: 7.0/10
Waves: 1.44m (5.4s), Wind: 31.3 m/s
Score: 6.4/10
Waves: 1.46m, Wind: 29.7 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Shipwreck CoveAlpha
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
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for Shipwreck Cove
Ideal Conditions for Shipwreck Cove
Water Temp
26.9°C / 80.4°F
August
Visibility
11.8m / 38.7ft
June
Wave Height
2.6m / 8.5ft
January
Wave Period
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.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 21, 2026