Antigua Diving – Dive Sites & Boat Operators to Clear Blue Waters
Practically surrounded by coral reefs, Antigua & Barbuda is a great place for Caribbean diving. The underwater terrain south of Antigua drops off sharply, making for some interesting coral covered walls to explore. The crystal blue waters off the south-west coast of Antigua offers a number of dive sites in and around the popular Cades Reef area, while the sunken boulders and rocks near English Harbour offer more plenty of unique and exciting places to discover. Antigua and Barbuda boasts over 40 dive sites, some in relatively shallow water while others have ledges and walls that plunge deep into the sea.
Antigua diving will provide opportunities to view a diverse collection of coral, sponges, sea fans and other colourful marine life. Antigua’s reefs are home to schools of tropical fish as well as eels, while lobsters and crabs make their way around on the sea floor. It’s also common to spot the occasional dolphin, turtle, barracuda, ray and shark visiting the area.
If you’ve always wanted to try scuba diving, Antigua is a great place to get started – there is a dive school on the island along with several Dive Centres offering PADI certification. Leave the hustle and bustle of your everyday life behind and journey to an amazing underwater world that you just can’t experience on land!
Local Dive Boat/Tour Operators for Antigua diving are listed below…
The Best Antigua Diving Off the South-west Coast Include:
- Fryer’s Shoal – A shallow diving area, great for beginners
- A number of dive sites west of Cades reef, in the 40 to 60 feet (12m – 18m) range, including: Double Dip; Solomon’s Trail; Diver’s Paradise; Coral Alley; Shark Bay; Monk’s Head; and Lemon Ridge
- Stadium – A deeper dive site at just over 70 feet (22m), where advanced divers can explore an impressive display of corals
- The popular Cades Reef itself is home to a number of Antigua dive sites including these beginner dive spots in the 30 to 40 feet (9m – 12m) deep range: Aquarium; Pillars; Coral Garden; Passage; and the nearby School House, that has drift diving potential
- Cades Reef also offers deeper wall dives in the 80 to 90 feet (24m – 27m) range including: Snapper Ledge/Hole; The Abyss; Chimney; and the nearby Lobster Ledge
- A number of other Antigua dive sites around 40 feet (12M) deep, located further east of Cades Reef, include: Bluff Cut; Speargun; Jigsaw; and the Plateau
- While deeper dive sites in the area include Captain’s Anchor at 60 feet (18m) deep along with Three Tears at 85 feet (26m) deep
- The Net – Another deep Antigua dive site where Rays and Sharks, as well as Lobsters can be spotted
The Best Antigua Diving Near English Harbour Include:
- Montserrat Wreck – An intact wreck sits in 120 feet (37m) of water and the interior of the ship can be explored. For advanced divers only.
- Rendezvous Bay – A wall from 40 to 80 feet (12m – 24m) in depth with coral and sponges. Turtles and rays, as well as octopus and lobster may also be spotted.
- Red Rocks – One of the best Antigua diving spots gently slopes from 40 to 80 feet (12m – 24m) and offers views of corals, sponges, fish, turtles, rays and sharks as well as eels and lobsters
- Black Point – Calm waters with a depth ranging from 20 to 35 feet (6m – 11m) and boulders with large swim-throughs plus plenty of colourful fish makes this an ideal spot for beginner divers as well as night dives.
- Sea Terror Wreck – The remains of a sailboat sits in 20 feet (6m) of water. Shallow water with plenty of fish.
- Barracuda Reef – A great dive site, but only divable in calm weather / seas. This site ranges in depth from 40 to 60 feet (12m – 18m) and has tons of fish along with turtles, sharks and lobster.
- Barracuda Reef Wall – This wall descends to 120 feet (37m) and has many ledges and holes to explore – and more fish…
- Pillars of Hercules – A popular Antigua dive and snorkel site ranging in depth from 25 to 50 feet (8m – 15m) with coral and sponge covered boulders, an old anchor and plenty of other sea-life
- Stingray Alley – A popular large valley with a depth ranging from 45 to 80 feet (14m – 24m) where rays often hide in the depths
- Windward Reef – A popular snorkel spot, this site offers shallow diving to coral in less than 20 feet (6m) of water
- Carib House – A popular spot with a depth ranging from 40 to 80 feet (12m – 24m)
- Proctor’s Point – A unique site with a grass bottom at 60 feet (18m). There’s coral, lobster and conch, as well as turtles, rays and the occasional shark
- Sunken Rock – A popular deep dive site with a wall that plunges past 100 feet (30m). Great dive site in calm weather / waters. For advanced divers only.
- Shirley Heights / Cape Shirley – This deep technical dive site, featuring drop-offs and caves, ranges from 80 to 100 feet (24m – 30m) deep and is ideal for drift diving – For advanced divers only.
- Stoney Cove – Plenty of boulders and ledges with a depth ranging from 40 to 60 feet (12m – 18m)
- Nanton’s Point – Plenty of coral and sponges covered boulders as well as reef fish and turtles in depths of 40 to 80 feet (12m – 24m) make this a good reef dive
- Carpenter’s Rock – One of the best Antigua dive sites with ridges and valleys ranging from 40 to 80 feet (12m – 24m), this dive site displays the diversity of sea-life found off Antigua’s coast. Only divable in calm weather / waters.
Other Good Antigua and Barbuda Dive Sites include:
- Other Antigua dive sites include: Gizmo; Mad Max and Eric’s Garden
- Of special note is Ariadne Shoals – Located about 10 miles (16km) west of Antigua
- The best Barbuda diving can be found on a long ridge off the south tip of the island
- Redonda, part of Antigua and Barbuda, also has a nice reef with a ledge
Planning an Antigua Diving vacation? These local Dive Centres / Boat Operators will take good care of you (Click on a Tour Operator name below for more details):
- Guided Scuba Diving Boat Tour (morning or afternoon / equipment rental available)
- Private Charter (morning or afternoon)
- PADI Courses
- Discover Scuba Diving
- Open Water Diver
- Refresher
- Advanced Open Water Diver
- Rescue Diver
- Divemaster certification
- Guided Scuba Diving:
- 2 Tank Dive Tour (equipment rental available)
- 1 Tank Dive Tour (equipment rental available)
- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 Day Packages (equipment rental available)
- Pool Check and / or Private Instruction available
- Boat Charter
- Wetsuit Rental
- PADI Certification Courses
- Bubble Maker (for Kids)
- Scuba Diver (Entry Level) Courses
- Scuba Diver Upgrade Courses
- Open Water Diver Courses
- Referral Courses
- Advanced Diver Courses
- Guided Scuba Diving:
- 1 Tank Ocean Dive
- 2 Tank Ocean Dive
- Five Day 2 Tank Package
- Wetsuit / Equipment Rentals
- Classes and Courses
- Full Experience – Discover Scuba Class
- Open Water Diver Courses
- Two Tank Dives
- PADI Courses
- Bubblemaker / Seal Team (for Kids)
- Discover Scuba Diving
- Scuba Diver
- Open Water Diver
- Adventure Diver
- Advanced Open Water Diver
- Rescue Diver
- Specialities
- Divemaster
- Skin Diver
- EFR
Please note that a number of resorts on the island also have dive shops and provide diving services…
Also check out Antigua & Barbuda Snorkeling
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