Just a five-minute boat ride from Stuart Cove’s dive shop in Nassau, New Providence, the Sea Trader shipwreck is one of the best beginner wreck dives in the Bahamas. It’s also one of the newest additions to Cove’s many wreck dives that surround the tropical island.

Scuba Diving Sea Trader Shipwreck in Nassau, Bahamas

As you descend on this fully intact shipwreck, take a moment to appreciate the view. The warm waters surrounding the wreck are gin-clear nearly 365 days a year, and with the wealth of ambient light bathing this shallow wreck you can truly take in the ship’s entirety. Be sure to look west of the ship before continuing your descent, as sea turtles and sharks that frequent the neighboring wall dive are often seen. (If you’re diving the next day, don’t miss diving the neighboring wall — the corals are stunning, and the resident critters make for beautiful underwater photography.)

As you descend on Sea Trader, any nerves about going inside a shipwreck will surely be eliminated. If you descend on the north side of the wreck, you’ll find yourself on the pilothouse; descending on the south side takes you to the bow. For divers not training for wreck dives — or not already certified to enter overhead environments — there’s more than enough to see on the ship’s deck at 45 feet. (Bonus: Your bottom time will seem limitless because of the shallow depth, so be sure to take your time appreciating the blossoming coral formations and critters hiding on the deck.)

If you choose to begin your dive profile on the bow, you’ll enter the wreck and quickly discover the engine room. Spend some time inspecting the engine, before heading up toward the picturesque wheelhouse — you won’t want to miss a photo op here. If you choose to begin at the bow, the ship’s prop is another can’t-miss photo opportunity.

Purpose sunk by the Stuart Cove’s team to create an artificial reef, the Sea Trader was custom-built for scuba divers new to wrecks. The 250-foot oil tanker was donated to Stuart Cove’s team by its owner, who used the vessel to deliver oil around the Caribbean. Before downing the Sea Trader between 60-80 feet of water, the team at Stuart Cove’s removed all hazardous materials to ensure a healthy marine environment for its future aquatic occupants. But it was the preparation for divers that make Sea Trader an exceptional site.

To accommodate people learning to dive inside wrecks for either their Advanced Open Water certification or training in overhead environments, Cove’s team added holes through the bulkheads in a serpentine formation to offer divers a number of paths to explore, and clearly marked exits were added to each and every room.

Sea Trader has already developed an astounding amount of marine life and coral. Resident goliath groupers greet divers on any given day, and schooling Atlantic spadefish, blue tangs, chromis and snapper add vibrant accents to ship’s crystal-clear ocean backdrop.

Dive Conditions and Information: Sea Trader Wreck Dive

Depth: 45-80 feet
Water Temperature: 80+ degrees F year-round
Visibility: 80-100+ feet
Dive Gear to Bring: 1 mm wetsuit or thicker if you're prone to cold; dive light; underwater camera for photography
Recommended For: Divers working on their Advanced Open Water Scuba Certification and/or training for overhead environments; wreck divers; open-water divers; underwater photographers

For more information on diving in Nassau, Bahamas, lists of scuba diving sites, and information on planning a perfect scuba diving vacation, contact Stuart Cove's Dive Bahamas; stuartcove.com.

Contact Info:

For more information on the amazing diving that awaits in New Providence Island, contact Stuart Cove's Dive Bahamas.

Phone: 954-524-5755
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stuartcove.com