The Carib Cargo or “Carib Ghost” Dive Site
A Marine Mystery Solved
With so many things to do, diving in St. Maarten is often not a top-of-mind activity. However, the island offers many spots for unique diving experiences, with professional guides such as Dive St. Maarten and Aquamania.
Wrecks are always a great diving attraction. The Carib Cargo (also known as the RoRo or the Carib Ghost) is one of the island’s most famous sites. The wreck earned the nickname “Carib Ghost” because it went missing for years. After being damaged by Hurricane Luis in 1995, it was moored outside Philipsburg. A year later, Hurricane Bertha swept through, and the ship vanished. It took local dive operators years to relocate the “ghostly” remains.
Second Dive Hotspot
While many wrecks in St. Maarten (like the Gregory) were intentionally sunk to create dive sites, the Carib Cargo is a true shipwreck. It was not stripped or prepared for divers beforehand, which gives it a more authentic and rugged feel than the man-made reefs nearby.
Nowadays, the ship sits upright on a sandy bottom at approximately 65 to 70 feet (20 m). This makes it an ideal “second dive” or a perfect spot for Open Water divers to experience wreck exploration without needing advanced deep-diving certification.
Because the wreck lies in an open sandy area, it acts as a massive fish magnet. Large schools of Horse-eye Jacks and Snapper often hover in thick clouds just above the deck, sometimes so dense they block out the sun for divers below.
The sandy flats surrounding the wreck are a prime hunting ground for Caribbean Reef Sharks. It is very common to see them cruising the perimeter of the ship, using the structure as a landmark while they hunt.
Hawksbill turtles are around here too. Remember this is a highly endangered species. The wreck is a highlight of the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area. Because fishing is strictly prohibited here, the density of marine life is significantly higher than at nearby non-protected sites.
Fun Facts: Beer Boat & Bathroom Stops
When the 200-foot (60 m) freighter finally went down, it wasn’t empty. Rumor has it that it was carrying a massive shipment of Carib Beer. While the bottles are long gone or buried under decades of silt, the name “Carib Cargo” remains.
For those with a Wreck Diver specialty (and a sense of humor), one of the most popular—and intact—features to visit is the ship’s head (bathroom). It is one of the few interior spaces that remains relatively accessible and recognizable, providing a quirky photo opportunity for divers.
When Best to Go & Practical Precautions
Because visibility can vary depending on Atlantic swells, it is usually best to dive the Carib Cargo in the morning when sunlight hits the deck directly.
In recent years, the Nature Foundation St. Maarten has closed off specific sections of the wreck—particularly the wheelhouse. Decades of saltwater exposure have made the stern unstable, so while the wreck can still be dived, swim-throughs in the rear are now strictly off-limits for safety.
When planning your dive to Carib Cargo, see if any diving tours are available at stmaartenauction.com and the visitstmaarten.com/vippass! Also see our story on the other famous St. Maarten shipwreck: the HMS Proselyte.
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