Caribbean Shipwrecks That You Can Explore While Snorkeling—Plus, Where to Stay

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When it comes to underwater adventures, shipwrecks are the holy grail.
Sunken ships hit a range of interests. For divers, they’re another chance to descend into the great, blue depths. For divers with a love of history, there’s added intrigue; few ships are sunk voluntarily, after all. Even those without an appreciation for seafaring vessels are likely to get caught up in the details.

Unfortunately, most shipwrecks can only be visited by certified divers using specialized equipment.
And for travelers like me — people who dream of seeing a wreck up close but have zero intention of getting a scuba license — that’s a bit disappointing.

In simple terms, if you’re not scuba-certified, your chances of exploring the underwater world become pretty limited.

In most cases, at least.

There is one place on earth with leagues of shallow waters, and they’re chock-full of sunken vessels.

Welcome to the Caribbean

The Caribbean is home to the highest concentration of shipwrecks in the world. These sites span centuries of complex (and, at times, very pirate-y) history. They start with Spanish raiders in the 1500s all the way up to modern, planned shipwrecks created for tourists.

The best part? Some of the coolest sunken vessels can be found in shallow waters, meaning they’re fair game for snorkelers in the Caribbean.

With just a handy breathing tube and a functional set of water goggles, you can glimpse some of the most intriguing Caribbean shipwrecks without descending more than a few feet. Many of these snorkel-friendly sites are covered in healthy reefs and surrounded by tropical fish.

Best of all, they’re accessible for Americans in terms of price, distance, and infrastructure.

Snorkelers, assemble! I’m counting down the best Caribbean shipwrecks for snorkelers, along with how to get there, where to stay, and when to go.

(Are you a certified scuba diver, instead? Don’t worry, you can still enjoy all the sites listed here!)

Caribbean shipwrecks that you can snorkel (plus, where to stay)

The Montana & The Constellation (Sandys Parish, Bermuda)

Bermuda is often regarded as the shipwreck capital of the Caribbean, with around 300 wreck sites. In fact, the islands were first discovered by stranded sailors without a vessel. They washed up on the shores back in 1609  thanks to Bermuda’s massive, healthy reefs. Many of these shipwrecks are still visible to snorkelers today.
The Montana (sunk in 1863) and the Constellation (sunk in 1943) are the most well-known picks, as they’re situated on either end of a long reef in Northwestern Bermuda in Sandys Parish. They’re also close to the Western Blue Cut Reef, giving you plenty of chances to get in the water.

But if you’re specifically looking for tropical, colorful reefs, look no further. Because the vessels were sunk around 150 years ago and close to 100 years ago, respectively, they’re overgrown with marine life and home to schools of tropical fish.

How can you snorkel these shipwrecks in Bermuda?

Hotels & resorts that are located close to the wrecks in Sandys Parish:

SS Antilla (Malmok Beach, Aruba)

A bird’s eye view of the SS Antilla shipwreck dwarfing a tiny kayaker off the Northwest coast of Aruba (Getty)

The best Caribbean shipwreck to snorkel in Aruba is the SS Antilla, which is only accessible by boat ride. It’s the third-largest in the Caribbean, as well, giving you tons of space to snorkel around in wonder.

But there’s a historical angle to the Antilla that you should know about.

The SS Antilla was a Nazi cargo ship that was used to transport supplies around the Caribbean. To make a long story short, the SS Antilla docked in Aruba, thinking the Netherlands would remain neutral. Then Germany invaded the Netherlands, ending any neutral port activity.

A group of Dutch marines went to meet with the crew but weren’t allowed onboard. Rather than fall to the Dutch, the ship was set alight, and its crew was handed over as prisoners of war.  Almost a century later, the Antilla is still partly intact, now covered in healthy coral just off the coast of Aruba. That means it’s only accessible by boat.

How can you snorkel this shipwreck in Aruba?

Hotels & resorts that are close by Malmok Beach

MV Captain Keith Tibbits & Balboa (Cayman Brac & Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)

MV Captain Keith Tibbits (Courtesy of TripAdvisor)

As one of the most pristine regions for diving in the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands are a top choice for divers. But snorkelers will also have options when it comes to exploring a handful of shipwrecks around this British territory.

The MV Captain Keith Tibbits in Cayman Brac, for example, is an intentionally sunk Russian frigate that you can snorkel to straight from the shoreline. However, because it was sunk recently in 1996, there’s not too much coral growth to see compared to other sites. It’s ideal for those who like larger ships, as this is a 330-foot vessel.

On the shores of George Town, by contrast, you can swim out to explore the wreckage of the Balboa. The Balboa went down in 1932, meaning there’s a bit more in the way of coral, so long as visibility is good.

How can you snorkel these shipwrecks in the Cayman Islands?

  • MV Captain Keith Tibbits is in Cayman Brac. You can explore this shipwreck by swimming out from the beach. No official tour guides needed. Be mindful of water conditions.
  • The Balboa Wreck can be accessed from the beach in Grand Cayman. Once again, you don’t need to join an official tour group. Be mindful of water conditions.

Hotels & resorts that are close by

Carlisle Bay Shipwrecks (Carlisle Bay, Barbados)

Wreck in Carlisle Bay (Getty)

While Bermuda comes out ahead in terms of the sheer number of Caribbean shipwrecks in its shallow waters, Barbados’ Carlisle Bay is actually known as the Shipwreck Capital of the Caribbean. That’s because it has many well-preserved shipwrecks in a small area, whereas Bermuda’s are spread out across the cay.

In fact, there are so many options in terms of shipwrecks you can snorkel that I won’t list them all here. There’s the Bajan Queen, the Cornwallis, the Barge, the Berwind, and more. The area is also a hot spot for sea turtles, letting you come face to face with hawksbill and green sea turtles.

If you’ll be traveling with a non-diving and non-snorkeling group, Carlisle Bay is a great option, as other members of your group can stay busy on the beach. Plus, Carlisle Bay lets you explore other Barbadian hotspots, like Harrison’s Cave.

How can you snorkel these shipwrecks in Carlisle Bay?

Hotels & resorts in Bridgetown/Carlisle Bay

La Famille Express (Provo, Turks & Caicos)

Seated in the crystal clear waters of Providenciales, this soviet era ship is a stunning landmark and tourist attraction (Getty)

La Famille Express was a massive cargo ship that ran ashore during a devastating hurricane in 2004. It hasn’t been moved from the sands of Providenciales Island (aka Provo) since then.

Uniquely, much of the wreck is above water, making this one of the more visually stunning and grand Caribbean shipwrecks. As with other sites on this list, you still need to book a tour to gain access to the site, which is done via boat. (Or possibly jet ski, depending on your tour.)

Many charters also bundle in other activities, such as other shipwreck tours and even kiteboarding. Just keep in mind that you should not climb this shipwreck—it’s not stable after decades of decay.

How can you snorkel this shipwreck in Turks & Caicos?

Hotels & resorts that are close by

SS Sapona (Alice Town, Bahamas)



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