Barbados South(west) Coast Dive Sites & Boat Operators
While it’s remained somewhat under the radar, Barbados is a great Caribbean diving destination. The island has over twenty dive sites, most of which can be reached in less than 20 minutes by boat. Dive conditions are good, with water temperatures off Barbados’ shores ranging from the high-70s to mid-80s (25-29c) with good visibility up to 70 feet deep. The south(west) coast offers diverse ecosystems across gently sloping fringe reefs, as well as bank reefs and deep (>100ft / 30m) double-sided barrier reefs.
The south(west) coast is home to the remains of a broken-up 165-foot long shipwreck to explore in 55 feet of water, along with over a dozen other great dive sites. The partially protected reefs and banks offer some amazing drift dives and deep divers will enjoy plunging down the double-sided barrier reefs. There are corals, sponges, sea fans as well as a wide variety of crustaceans and fish of all sizes to discover.
The Best Barbados Diving off the South(west) Coast can be found at:
Listed from North to South…
- Old Fort – Located off Needhams Point, this dive site ranges in depth from 30 to 80 feet (9-24m) and features a shallow barrier reef with plenty of corals, sponges and fish along with a sandy seafloor littered with old bottles and cannonballs. You might even be able to spot shrimp and anemones. A great drift dive location.
- Asta Reef – This reef is frequented by large fish and stingrays. A great spot for underwater photography.
- Lobster Reef – This dive site ranges in depth from 30 to 80 feet (9-24m) and features plenty of marine life including rays. A great drift dive location.
- Carlenes – This dive site ranges in depth from 80 to 100 feet (24-30m) and features plenty of marine life including turtles and large fish. A great drift dive location.
- Round Bar – This popular dive site off Hastings, ranges in depth from 40 to 180 feet (55m) and features a reef with sponges, turtles and tropical fish.
- Pieces of Eight – This dive site ranges in depth from 35 to over 65 feet (11 to >20m) and features a flat reef with plenty of coral, fish and other marine life. A great location for underwater photography and drift dives.
- Friars Craig Shipwreck – This 165-foot wreck, broken into 3 pieces, rests in 55 feet (17m) of water and is covered in colourful sponges, gorgonians and sea fans. There’s also plenty of fish of all kinds to see here.
- Castle Bank – This dive site ranges in depth from 50 to over 120 feet (15 to >37m) and features a double-sided barrier reef with sponges, sea fans and plumes as well as plenty of barracuda. A great location for underwater photography and drift dives.
- The Deep / Haroon’s Deep – This dive site ranges in depth from 60 to over 120 feet (18 to >37m) and features plenty of fish. A great location for underwater photography and drift dives.
- Fork Reef – This dive site ranges in depth from 60 to 120 feet (18-37m) and features a double-sided barrier reef with plenty of large fish
- Accra – This shallow dive site off Rockley Beach ranges in depth from 20 to 60 feet (6-18m) and features schools of fish. A great site for beginner divers and underwater photography.
- Caribee – This dive site ranges in depth from 60 to over 110 feet (18 to >34m) and features a long barrier reef with gorgonians, sea fans and whips as well as reef fish. A great location for underwater photography and drift dives.
- Muff – This popular dive site ranges in depth from 65 to over 100 feet (34 to >30m) and features a double-reef with colourful sponges and sea fans, plumes and whips as well as a variety of fish. A great drift dive location.
- Boot – This popular dive site off Sandy Beach, ranges in depth from 40 to 80 feet (12-24m) and features plenty of rays and turtles. A great drift dive location.
- Close Encounters – This dive site off Dover Beach, ranges in depth from 40 to 80 feet (12-24m) and features plenty of marine life including rays.
- HighWire – This dive site ranges in depth from 70 to over 100 feet (21 to >30m) and features a reef with underwater cables and colourful marine life including sponges, corals and sea fans, plumes and whips as well as tropical fish. A great location for underwater photography and drift dives.
- Mount Charlie – This dive site ranges in depth from 70 to over 100 feet (21 to >30m) and features a barrier reef frequented by large fish and turtles. A great location for underwater photography
- The Finger / Needle Point – This popular dive site off Welches Beach, ranges in depth from 30 to 80 feet (9-24m) and features a finger-shaped reef extending out from the main fringing reef. The colourful reef is home to corals, sea fans, plumes and whips, as well as plenty of reef fish. A good location for beginner divers (when there is little/no current). A great location for underwater photography and drift dives.
- G Spot
Also, check out Scuba Diving at Barbados’ West Coast Dive Sites as well as Carlisle Bay Dive Sites. Feel free to take a look at our Barbados Snorkeling page too…
Planning a Barbados Scuba Diving vacation? Go back to our Barbados Diving page for a list of local Dive Centres / Boat Operators who’ll take good care of you
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