Scuba Diving in Carriacou, Caribbean – World of Dreams, Mabouya Island

Dive Site: World of Dreams

Location: Mabouya Island, Carriacou

Description: Reef

Depth: 8 – 22 metres (23 – 72 feet)

Visibility: 30 metres (100 feet)

World of Dreams is just one of the dive sites on Mabouya Island, just out of Hillsborough Bay. It is a gently sloping reef with a maximum depth of about 22 metres. Sometimes there can be a slight current, but the dive is still suitable for both beginners and experienced divers. There is an abundance of hard coral as well as some giant soft corals. Other life includes stingrays, angelfish, porcupinefish and the occasional turtle.

Scuba Diving in the Red Sea – Giannis D, Japanese freighter, Sha’ab Abu Nuhas

Dive Site: Giannis D

Location: 27°34’42″N; 33°55’24”E (Sha’ab Abu Nuhâs)

Description: Japanese freighter

Length: 100 metres approx (300 feet)

Depth: 4 metres to mast (13 feet), 24 metres to sea floor (79 feet)

Visibility: 20 – 30 metres (65 – 100 feet)

The Giannis D was built in 1969 in Japan and was originally called the Shoyo Maru. In 1975 she was sold and renamed the Markos. Interestingly, that name is still discernible on the vessel’s hull and there are those who insist on calling her by the misnomer “Markos D”! In 1980 the ship was then sold again to a Greek company who gave her the name o the Giannis D and emblazoned a large, capital D onto her funnel.The Giannis D sank with its cargo of timber in 1983 and lies next to a coral reef. The entire wreck can be seen from either end because of good the visibility. It is broken up in the Center, but the bow and stern remain intact.

The Giannis D is now found in three separate sections – bows, amidships and stern lying more or less parallel to the reef. Most divers tend to head straight for the which looks as though it has been cleanly cut from the remainder of the ship. The deepest part is the port companionway which is almost resting on the seabed. Above this, a number of davits and other fittings are found hanging out from the wreck. The letter D is still clearly visible on the funnel. There is easy access to the engine room which offers a very exciting interlude for those who prefer to venture deep inside. The Bows rest perfectly on their port side with the decks facing away from the reef. Once again, they look as though they were separated from the remainder of the ship by an acetylene torch. Being exactly on their side, however, means that the forward main mast is found stretching out directly above and parallel to the sand – seemingly defying all the known laws of gravity. Many hard and soft corals have begun to colonise this part of the wreck and numerous reef fishes have crossed over from the adjacent reef to set up home. A very large Napoleon wrasse is often encountered here. At the stern on the sea floor there is a point where penetration allows divers to travel up towards the top of the wreck to a pocket of trapped air on condition that they will need to leave by the same hole which they enter. At the bow one can see where the boat had been renamed, with the old name just visible under a layer of paint. Expect to see glassfish, scorpionfish, angelfish, bumphead wrasse and a napoleon fish. The dive can be finished by traversing the reef, or by climbing up the mast, which rises up to only four metres below the surface.