🧭 Every country, and the places worth the trip NEW 26,489 places written across 243 countries 🎮 Guess the country As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases
Meridiela.
Home/Countries/Anguilla/Nature & outdoors/Stoney Bay Marine Park

Stoney Bay Marine Park

A marine park over the wreck of a Spanish ship lost off Anguilla in 1772.

Saved in this browser only - no account, nothing sent anywhere. See your map

WhereAnguilla
Nearest cityThe Valley
Best seasonDecember to April
Time to allowHalf a day
Getting thereOff the northeastern coast; dive boats, site access restricted
EntryDive charges; access controlled

Stoney Bay marine park protects the wreck of El Buen Consejo, a Spanish ship carrying Franciscan missionaries to Mexico that went down off Anguilla's northeastern coast in 1772, and the site is one of the few underwater archaeological parks in the eastern Caribbean. Anchors, cannon and ballast lie on the sea floor. Access is controlled to protect the site and it is not a general dive.

What you actually see

  • The wreck site - anchors, cannon and ballast on the sea floor.
  • The 1772 loss - a Spanish ship carrying missionaries to Mexico.
  • The archaeological park - one of very few underwater parks in the region.
  • The controlled access - protection limiting who dives it and when.

When to go

December to April is calmest for the crossing. Access is controlled year round. Hurricane season runs June to November.

Honest expectations

Access is restricted and this is not a walk-up dive; arrangements go through the authorities. Visibility and conditions on this coast are variable. The remains are low and scattered rather than a standing wreck.

Nearby

Island Harbour is south, and Shoal Bay East is southwest.

What to pack for Stoney Bay Marine Park

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

All packing kits →

Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

← More nature & outdoors in Anguilla

One postcard a week.

A short Friday email: one place worth knowing about, the story behind it, and what is in season right now. No noise - leave whenever you like.