Willaurie Wreck
A century-old Danish mailboat now carpeted in corals, offering Nassau's most photogenic wreck dive.
The Willaurie is one of Nassau's most beloved wreck dives, a 130-foot Danish-built vessel that served the Bahamas as a mail and freight boat before sinking during a storm in 1988. Built in Denmark in 1907, she spent her final years carrying packages between Nassau and the outer islands of Rum Cay, San Salvador, and Cat Island.
When her towlines broke during a storm near Clifton Pier, the Willaurie settled onto the sandy bottom at around 60 feet. Over the decades since, she has transformed into a thriving artificial reef, her structure mantled in vibrant corals and sponges that attract photographers and marine life enthusiasts alike.
Exploring the wreck
The Willaurie lies scattered across the seabed but retains enough structure to provide an engaging dive. The cargo hold and engine blocks are accessible, while the stern section features a photogenic propeller surrounded by soft corals in vivid reds, oranges, and purples.
A cage structure on the deck has become a showcase of coral growth, with gorgonians and sponges creating a kaleidoscope of colour. A spotted drum fish often inhabits the engine block area, and a deteriorated Haitian sloop wreck lies nearby on the starboard side, adding variety to the dive.
Marine life
Decades of coral colonisation have made the Willaurie a productive artificial reef. Schools of grunt and snapper shelter in the wreck's recesses, while angelfish, butterflyfish, and damselfish patrol the coral-covered surfaces. Moray eels take up residence in the nooks and crannies.
The wreck sits safely away from the Tongue of the Ocean drop-off, so currents are typically mild and conditions are suitable for leisurely exploration. Larger visitors including reef sharks and turtles occasionally pass through the area.
History and significance
The Willaurie's accidental sinking transformed her from working mailboat to underwater attraction. Her century-old Danish construction and decades of Bahamian service give her a depth of history that artificial wrecks lack. The wreck has appeared in television programming and the web series Water Born, raising her profile among divers.
Her location near other wrecks including the Anthony Bell allows operators to combine multiple sites on a single dive trip, making this stretch of Nassau's coast particularly rewarding for wreck enthusiasts.
Getting there
The Willaurie wreck lies off the southwestern coast of New Providence, accessible via dive boat from Nassau-based operators in under 30 minutes. Stuart Cove's and other dive shops include this site on regular wreck diving excursions. The wreck is often paired with nearby sites like the Anthony Bell or James Bond wrecks for a two-tank trip.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you penetrate the Willaurie wreck?
- Yes, the cargo hold and engine areas are accessible to divers with appropriate training. The wreck's structure has maintained integrity over time, though care should be taken around deteriorated sections.
- What is the best feature of the Willaurie for photography?
- The stern propeller, surrounded by colourful soft corals in reds, oranges, and purples, is the most popular photo subject. The coral-covered cage structure on the deck also offers excellent wide-angle opportunities.
- Is the Willaurie suitable for beginner divers?
- Yes. The maximum depth of around 70 feet and typically calm conditions make this wreck accessible to certified open water divers. Advanced certification is recommended for interior penetration.
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