Stavronikita Wreck Anchorage
Stavronikita dive site · The Stavro
13°04.50'N 59°37.26'W
Depth
5–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding on sand in 5–12m adjacent to wreck site. Keep dive buoys at minimum 30m distance — commercial dive operators use the site daily during season. Do not set anchor on or near the wreck structure. In crowded ARC season, this area can fill — move to main anchorage if no sand clear of dive zone available.
About This Anchorage
The Stavronikita — a 111m Greek freighter deliberately sunk in 1978 to create an artificial reef — is arguably the finest wreck dive in the eastern Caribbean and one of the top five in the entire Caribbean. She lies in 40m of water off Carlisle Bay, encrusted in enormous coral formations and home to an extraordinary variety of Caribbean reef fish. Divers can access the wreck at the 12–15m deck level on a single tank. Commercial dive operators run multiple daily trips from Bridgetown. The anchorage is in the sand areas surrounding the wreck's position — not over the wreck itself. Dive-from-the-boat access to the Stavronikita is one of Carlisle Bay's unique attractions, requiring only a short dinghy ride to the dive buoys. Four other wrecks (Berwyn, Bajan Queen, Elli, Lord Combermere) are also diveable in the same bay.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- No anchoring fee
- Permit required
- Yes
Restrictions: Do NOT anchor on or adjacent to wreck structure — sand only, clear of dive buoys by 30m minimum. Active commercial dive site — diver-down flags mandatory when diving; VHF 16 for Port Authority. Carlisle Bay marine park designation applies.
Hazards
- !Active commercial dive site — dive boats operating daily throughout the day; diver-down flags frequently up
- !Do NOT anchor on wreck — fine and environmental damage risk; anchor in clear sand only
- !Four other wrecks in close proximity — check chart positions of Berwyn, Bajan Queen, Elli, Lord Combermere
- !Diver-down flags may not always be visible from anchorage — maintain watch for dive boats
Skipper's Tips
- →The Stavronikita is diveable directly from your boat by dinghy — no need to join a commercial trip if you are self-sufficient divers with SCUBA
- →Contact Barbados Blue or Reefers & Wreckers dive operators for guided wreck dives — they know the wreck intimately and can safely lead you through the structure
- →Best diving visibility: December–April when trade wind clarity is highest and plankton levels lowest
- →The wreck is also accessible to snorkellers at the 12m shallows of the superstructure — with sufficient breath-hold ability
- →Anchor position: aim for a sandy clearing at least 40m from the outermost dive buoy on the lee side
Facilities
No facilities at wreck site. Dinghy to The Boatyard (0.4nm NW) for restaurant/bar. Bridgetown 0.6nm north.
Nearest provisions: Bridgetown (Massy Stores, 0.6nm N) (0.6nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April for best visibility and settled conditions. The Stavronikita is accessible year-round but best diving December–April. In hurricane season (Jun–Nov), Barbados is south of the main belt but exercise caution.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
In Carlisle Bay, anchor drag toward the historic wrecks or coral patches can cause serious damage. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can celebrate your Atlantic crossing with confidence.
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