Carlson Wreck (Oil Tanker) - Majuro Atoll

30m Max

15-35m Vis

boat

Site Overview

Carlson Wreck (Oil Tanker) is one of the most celebrated dive sites in Majuro Atoll, a 50 m oil tanker scuttled as an artificial reef in 18 to 30 m, with dense marine growth, batfish, snapper and lionfish, great for macro. The site is defined by a 50 m oil tanker sitting as an artificial reef in 18 to 30 m, with a broad hull and superstructure, creating an underwater landscape that rewards divers with every visit. Dense marine growth covers the hull, attracting batfish, snapper, lionfish and clouds of small reef fish. Water clarity in this part of the Marshall Islands is frequently excellent, with visibility often extending well beyond 15 metres and a comfortably warm tropical temperature year-round. The combination of healthy hard and soft corals, nutrient-rich currents and sheltered reef systems makes Carlson Wreck (Oil Tanker) a reliable location for both macro photography and wide-angle encounters. Local dive operators run regular trips to the site from nearby bases, and the geography means conditions are suitable across a range of experience levels with appropriate guidance. Conservation is taken seriously throughout the Marshall Islands, and Carlson Wreck (Oil Tanker) benefits from marine protection that keeps fish stocks high and coral coverage dense. Divers who plan their visit around the calm season will find the most predictable conditions, though the site can be enjoyed throughout the year. Carlson Wreck (Oil Tanker) deserves a place on any serious Pacific diving itinerary, offering a genuine taste of the untouched beauty that makes Marshall Islands diving so highly regarded internationally. Regular visitors note that the marine life here, including batfish, humper red snapper, red lionfish, soft coral gardens, giant moray eel, giant grouper, makes every descent memorable.

Dive Briefing

"The dive at Carlson Wreck (Oil Tanker) begins with a controlled entry and a short transfer from the nearest base, with the guide giving a full briefing on the site layout, expected marine life and emergency procedures. Descending toward a 50 m oil tanker sitting as an artificial reef in 18 to 30 m, with a broad hull and superstructure, divers are immediately surrounded by batfish, humper red snapper, red lionfish, soft coral gardens, with the reef revealing more detail the closer you look. The maximum depth reaches about 30 metres, while the average depth sits near 24 metres, so gas planning and a dive computer keep the profile safe and comfortable. Currents are described as mild, and the guide chooses the entry time to make the most of slack or mild flow, using a reef hook or DSMB when needed. The topography offers natural swim-throughs and ledges that shelter larger animals, and the open water above the reef often holds cruising pelagics. Throughout the dive, neutral buoyancy protects the fragile coral, and the group stays close to the guide to manage depth and any surge. The safety stop is completed in open water on a DSMB, and the boat follows the bubbles to collect divers at the exit point for a relaxed return to base. A morning dive gives the calmest conditions and the best light on the encrusted superstructure"