

Best for intermediate divers, 15-30m, boat entry, mild current.
The Costa Rican Trader is a shipwreck located 70 metres offshore in Halifax Harbour, serving as an artificial reef. Divers encounter depths ranging from 15 to 30 metres, with an average depth of 23 metres. The site requires boat access and is suited for intermediate divers due to the depth and potential for entanglement within the structure. Visibility varies between 10 and 30 metres, while water temperatures remain cold, fluctuating between 1 and 11 degrees Celsius. Divers should use a drysuit and cold-water rated regulators. Species recorded around this area include seals, lobsters, wrasses, sea ravens, rock crabs, sea stars, tube worms, cod, flounder, brittle stars, snails, and sea squirts.
44.55370, -63.55513
Water temperatures stay near freezing for much of the year, so bring a drysuit and ensure your regulator is cold-water rated to prevent free-flows. Guided tours are available on site and worth taking if you are unfamiliar with the wreck layout, given the entanglement risks inside the structure.
This is a boat dive, best dived in light winds from any westerly direction as the site is wide open to the east.
Recorded at this site
Depth
15-30m
Visibility
10-30m
Skill Level
Intermediate
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
1-11°C
Current
Mild
Typical Dive
25 min
Species recorded around this area include gray and harbor seals, common lobsters, wrasses, sea ravens, rock crabs, sea stars, tube worms, cod, righteye flounder, brittle stars, snails, and sea squirts.
No, this site is intended for intermediate divers due to the depth, entanglement risks within the wreck, and cold-water conditions.
The wreck lies at depths between 15 and 30 metres, with an average depth of 23 metres.
No, boat access is required to reach the Costa Rican Trader.
Snorkelling is not recommended due to the depth of the wreck and the cold-water environment.
Diving at Costa Rican Trader in Halifax requires the following certifications: Open Water. Always dive within your training limits.
A drysuit recommended is recommended for diving at Costa Rican Trader in Halifax. Water temperatures range from 1°C to 11°C.
Costa Rican Trader in Halifax typically has mild currents that most divers can handle comfortably.
Visibility at Costa Rican Trader in Halifax typically ranges from 10 metres to 30 metres. Conditions vary with weather, tides, and seasons.