La Rose Wreck

Exploring the tugboat

La Rose's intact structure provides accessible penetration opportunities for appropriately trained divers. The wheelhouse on the uppermost deck offers the most photographed feature, its windows now framing schools of reef fish that have claimed the interior as home. The engine room and lower decks contain the mechanical components that once drove pilings into Bahamian seabeds.

The vessel was meticulously cleaned before scuttling to prevent environmental contamination, leaving bare steel surfaces that have proven excellent substrate for coral polyp settlement. Sponge growth is particularly notable on the shadier portions of the hull.

Moray Manor connection

La Rose sits just a five-minute swim south of Moray Manor reef, allowing divers to combine both sites seamlessly. After exploring the wreck's three decks, a compass heading leads to one of Grand Bahama's most distinctive natural reefs, where massive boulder star corals and green moray eels await.

This reef-wreck combination has become one of the most requested dives among regular visitors to Grand Bahama. The contrast between artificial and natural reef structures provides educational value about reef formation and the value of artificial reef programs.

Marine life

Caribbean reef sharks and bar jacks frequently patrol the waters around La Rose, attracted by the structure and the baitfish it shelters. Groupers have established territories throughout the wreck, while cleaning stations attract fish queuing for parasite removal by small wrasses and gobies.

The wheelhouse interior shelters schools of grunts and snapper, spilling out through the windows when startled. Lobsters tuck into crevices, and flamingo tongues graze on the soft corals colonising the rails. Observant divers may spot an unusual artefact: a kitchen sink that ended up on the seabed near the wreck.

Getting there

La Rose lies on Grand Bahama's south shore near Moray Manor reef, accessed via dive boat from Freeport operators in approximately 20 minutes. UNEXSO, Reef Oasis, and Grand Bahama Scuba include this site on regular dive schedules. The combination with Moray Manor makes it a popular choice for divers seeking variety. A permanent mooring protects both the wreck and the nearby reef from anchor damage.

Frequently asked questions

Can you penetrate the La Rose wreck?

Yes. The wheelhouse and portions of the lower decks are accessible to divers with appropriate wreck training. The vessel was thoroughly cleaned before sinking, creating safe penetration routes. The engine room offers more confined exploration for experienced wreck divers.

What was La Rose used for before sinking?

La Rose spent years as a work tugboat driving pilings into canals and marinas throughout Abaco. When she reached the end of her useful working life, the Grand Bahama Diving Association coordinated her scuttling as an artificial reef.

How far is La Rose from Moray Manor reef?

Approximately a five-minute swim or 200 metres south of the Moray Manor mooring. Most dive guides include both sites on a single dive, allowing exploration of both artificial and natural reef ecosystems.