Most of the island's diving activity takes place on the south and west coasts which are sheltered from the turbulent Atlantic Ocean and the easterly trade winds. However, conditions allowing, the east coast can make for some very varied and adventurous diving. There are few greater delights than gliding through these warm, sheltered waters and being privy to the silent underwater world of a coral garden and its inhabitants.
The choice of dive sites is vast, and of course, what would a tropical paradise be without shipwrecks laden with history to explore? Several can be found in Carlisle Bay, a natural harbour on the border of the west and south coasts. Barbados is also host to the premier wreck of the Caribbean, the S.S. Stavronikita. At 365 ft long, she sits bolt upright in 130 ft of water and is an awesome beauty to behold. For the more adventurous, we also offer a couple of exhilirating shark dives.
Click on an area to find out about its dive sites or scroll down to browse them all:
South Coast
West Coast
East Coast
SOUTH COAST
Carlisle Bay (Depth 15-50 ft)
Located between the capital of Bridgetown and the Garrison, this historic bay is the site of numerous wrecks which have become living reefs. There are four wrecks which are of note - Berwyn, Eilon, C-Trek and the Bajan Queen . These incredible dive sites offer divers a chance to look at tropical fish and corals.
Old Fort (Depth 30-90 ft)
Off Needhams Point - shallow barrier reef, lots of small fish life, cannon balls and antique bottles found on this reef. A drift dive usually running in the direction from south to west.
Friars Crag (Depth 55 ft)
This 100ft long Dutch freighter was sunk in 1985. It lies on a sandy bottom with good visibility. Due to surge the wreck has broken into three pieces. The splendid Asta reef is located nearby. If you're good on air you can combine wreck and reef diving in one fantastic experience.
Pieces of Eight (Depth 40 - 60 ft)
Hastings - Lots of fish (snappers, small groupers and parrot fish) and marine life. This is an excellent drift dive and good for photography.
Close Encounters (Depth 40 - 80 ft)
Off Dover - Inner reef that is good for feeding fish and interacting with stingrays, lots of marine life. This reef also has underwater cables passing over it.
Carlenes (Depth 80 - 100 ft)
Off Coconut Court - on this drift dive you usually see turtles, barracudas and lots of other marine life.
Boot (Depth 40 - 80 ft)
Off St. Lawrence Gap - nice drift dive, lots of turtles to be seen on this dive, regular sightings of Eagle Rays. Good marine life, small derelict Coastguard boat sunk here.
Mount Charlie (Depth 70 - 120 ft)
Off Dover - deep outer barrier reef, lots of marine life, turtles, snapper, horseye, and barracuda. An excellent dive for photography.
The Fathom (Depth 40 - 130 ft)
Barbados' longest barrier reef. Located 1½ miles offshore this reef is not dived by any other dive facility on the island. Because it lies on the southeast coast, it can be a bit of a bumpy boat ride but well worth the visit; it's hard to see anything because of all the fish!
Shark Bank (Depth 135 - 145 ft)
Don't let the name worry you; this is a beautiful coral reef reaching depths of up to 145ft. Divers will particularly enjoy seeing sea turtles and parrotfish. This is a great dive for the experienced diver.
The Deep (Depth 60 - 130 ft)
Break off from Castle Bank; deep reef dive, lots of fish life, good photography and a good drift dive.
Castle Bank (Depth 50 - 120 ft)
Off Drill Hall - Barrier reef slow drop off either side of the reef, great for macro photography (lots of Barracuda).
Fork Reef (Depth 60 - 120 ft)
Off Hastings; barrier reef, drop off on both sides of the reef, lots of barracudas, snapper and cavalea.
Accra (Depth 20 - 60 ft)
Off Rockley Beach; shallow reef dive good for novice divers and photographers. Regular sightings of large schools of Bermuda Chubs on this dive.
Caribee (Depth 60 - 120 ft)
Off Caribbee Hotel; great barrier reef dive for all types of photography, lots of marine life. A drift dive.
The Muff (Depth 60 - 130 ft)
Off St.Lawrence Gap; virgin reef, great fish life (horse-eyes, blackjacks and barracudas) excellent for photography. Home of the famous sponge.
High Wire (Depth 70 - 120 ft)
Off Dover; this reef is between Mount Charlie and Close Encounters. There are underwater cables suspended over this reef. Plenty of small creatures can be found making it a good location for photography.
Bottle Ground (Depth 45 - 100 ft)
Carlisle Bay; this area was anchorage for wooden sailing vessels and the bottom is littered in 18th & 19th century bottles; you can keep what you find. Lots of interesting marine life can be found here.
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WEST COAST
Clarkes Bank (Depth 30 - 130 ft)
Off Brighton Beach; good dive site, lots of horse-eye, eels & barracudas. Location of the Atlantis Submarine Dives, you may even get to see the Submarine on some dives.
Spawnee (Depth 50 - 60 ft)
Located towards the North of the Island, we often feature this dive as the second dive on a full day dive safari. A shallower reef offers less experienced divers the chance to see the flora and fauna normally found on deeper dives. Squid and lots of reef fish abound.
Bell Bouy (Depth 20 - 60 ft)
Swim over this dome-shaped reef whilst enjoying the diversity of flora and fauna. It is popular for its brown coral in abundance, sloping corals and schools of reef fish. The diversity of the coral environments makes Bell Buoy an exhilarating experience.
Brightledge (Depth 60 - 120 ft)
Visit this spectacular reef and wonder at the colours. It is brimming with reef fish and a favorite spot for barracudas and the elusive Hawksbill turtle. Great visibility and a wide variety of corals and sponges make this an interesting dive.
Dottins (Depth 30 -100 ft)
This reef is part of the outer barrier reef around Barbados, and offers diving for the novice and experienced diver alike. The reef abounds with marine life and is a good location to see sea turtles.
Little Sandy Lane (Depth 45 - 80 ft)
This site is an extension of the previously mentioned Dottins' reef, sharing many of it characteristics and inhabitants and always worth a visit.
Pamir (Depth 60 ft)
This wreck is located to the north of the island, it is a 165ft long freighter and offers a relaxing and interesting dive - perfect for beginners.
SS Stavronikita (Depth 20 - 140 ft)
Certainly the jewel in Barbados' wreck diving crown. This 365ft Greek freighter was deliberately sunk to form an artificial reef, the wreck has now become home to numerous fish and corals. The Stavronikita lies in 120ft of water with the stern at 100ft and the bow at 70ft. This site is for the more experienced diver, with safe penetrations if properly trained.
Johnson's (Depth 50 - 80 ft)
This reef is well within the limits of most divers it has some very interesting coral formations as well being home to some awesome looking barracuda, eels, frog fish, seahorses and more. This dive is ideal for beginners, and a huge favorite with photographers.
Maycocks Bay (Depth 40 - 70 ft)
This is a unique site with several large coral reefs divided by stretches of white sand. It is an exceptional reef system that runs east to west. Fish life is outstanding and includes large rays, barracuda, parrotfish, schools of bermuda chub, creole wrasse and trigger fish.
Tropicana (Depth 60 - 80 ft)
Multilevel diving at its best. The reef itself is about 50 - 100ft wide with ledges along the sides where the sharp eyed diver can see Nurse sharks; rare in Barbados. Great drift diver for beginners and advanced divers alike.
Whitegates (Depth 55 - 80 ft)
This particular reef is situated south of Tropicana. Similar in depth and topography, it plays host to a great diversity of reef creatures. Keep a look out for large Hawksbill turtle, blackjacks and barracuda, a great dive for all levels of experience.
Fishermans (Depth 45 - 80 ft)
This is a large flat sandy area punctuated with coral heads. On the sand areas, you can see sting rays, flounders, and moray eels. On the small reefs keep a lookout for parrotfish, angelfish, rock beauties, and hundreds of other reef creatures.
Barracuda Junction (Depth 60 ft)
No prizes for guessing why this site is so named; swim with the schools of barracuda that live on this reef. Healthy corals, good visibility and many types of fish make this a great dive.
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EAST COAST
Consett Bay to Bathsheba (Depth 30 - 130 ft)
On the Atlantic side of the island there are about ten different sites depending on the weather conditions as seas are usually rough. Best time is in the summer months when plenty of big fish including sharks can be seen here.
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