Barbados Diving – Dive Sites & Boat Operators for Exploring Bajan Waters
While perhaps not well known outside of the scuba diving community, 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. Conditions for diving 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. Scuba Divers can experience a variety of coral reefs and up to 10 shipwrecks resting on a nice sandy bottom in relatively shallow waters.
The most popular dive sites in Barbados are located off the protected west and south(west) coasts of the island. Divers will enjoy calm waters and an abundance of marine life when exploring the shallow (30 – 60 feet) fringing reefs of the west coast. The south(west) coast offers diverse ecosystems across gently sloping fringe reefs, bank reefs as well as deep double-sided barrier reefs. The typically rough waters of the north and east coast can be dived as well, however ocean conditions have to be just right.
In terms of shipwrecks, the 360-foot freighter Stavronikita, sunk in 140 feet of water, is considered to be one of the most impressive wrecks in the Caribbean. Carlisle Bay is home to 6 shipwrecks all in one area, providing shallow, close to shore action for divers with all levels of experience.
Barbados was created by coral rising from the ocean depths, as a result, the island is surrounded by fringing, as well as bank and barrier reefs that are full of life. The reefs consist of a variety of corals including Staghorn, Gorgonian, Finger, Brain, Fire and more. Both reefs and wrecks are covered with huge barrel sponges and colourful sea fans as well as a wide variety of other marine life. Barbados’ warm clear waters have sea urchins, rays, eels, and even seahorses, conch shell and starfish. Divers will enjoy swimming with colourful tropical fish including Triggerfish, Parrotfish, Angelfish, Trunkfish, Damselfish, Trumpetfish, Filefish, and Grunts as well as a variety of other fish such as Barracuda, Jacks, Chub, Frog Fish, Grouper, Snapper, Mackerel, Lionfish and even Sharks. Of course, Barbados is home to their friendly Hawksbill, Green and Leatherback turtles as well as.
Local Dive Center / Boat Operators for Barbados diving are listed below…
Click on the links below for a detailed list and description of Barbados dive sites by region (West Coast; Carlisle Bay; Southwest Coast; East Coast):
The best Barbados Diving can be found at:
The Best Barbados Diving off the West Coast
- The most popular dive sites in Barbados are found off the island’s west coast. Here, divers can enjoy a tranquil marine environment filled with interesting sea-life including colourful corals, sponges and sea fans. There are close to 20 reefs to explore, along with 3 shipwrecks. Of course, the highlight of any Barbados dive trip is the incredible wreck of the Stavronikita – A 365-foot long freighter ranging in depth from 25 to 130 feet. Click on the link above for site-specific details…
The Best Barbados Diving in Carlisle Bay
- Carlisle Bay Marine Park has a couple of shallow dive spots as well as a couple of deeper sites further from shore. The highlight of the area is really the half a dozen shipwrecks that litter the sandy seafloor. The wrecks are home to sponges and sea fans as well as a large variety of colourful fish. A great site for beginner divers, although equally enjoyable by seasoned divers as well – An underwater photographer’s dream. Click on the link above for site-specific details…
The Best Barbados Diving along the South(west) Coast
- The south(west) coast has the broken remains of a 170 foot long shipwreck to explore in just 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 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. Click on the link above for site-specific details…
The Best Barbados Diving along the East Coast
Dive Sites Listed from North to South (sea conditions permitting)…
- Martins Bay
- Conset Bay – Plenty of sharks and big fish
- Culpepper Island
- The Chair
- Plus Others
Planning a Barbados Diving vacation? These local Dive Centres / Boat Operators will take good care of you (Click on an Operator name below for more details):
- Diving
- Various Dives
- Night Dives
- SSI & PADI Courses Include:
- Basic Diver; Discover Scuba
- Open Water Diver; PADI Open Water Diver; Advanced Open Water Diver
- Enriched Air Nitrox
- Diving Emergency Management Provider
- Perfect Buoyancy
- PADI Night Diver
- PADI Rescue Diver
- Divemaster
- Nitrox / Tank Rental
Barbados Blue [SUST-ECO]
- Diving
- 1 Tank Scuba Dive in Carlisle Bay
- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 Tank Scuba Dive Packages
- Night Scuba Dive
- Private Boat Charters also Available
- PADI Scuba Diving Courses Include:
- Bubblemaker (ages 8+); Seal Team (ages 8+)
- Discover Scuba Diving (ages 10+); Resort Diving
- Scuba Diver
- Open Water Diver; Advanced Open Water
- Adventure Diver
- Rescue Diver; Emergency First Response (CPR & First Aid)
- Specialty Training: Deep, Wreck, Fish ID, Naturalist, Night Diver, Peak Buoyancy, Search & Recovery, Digital Photographer, Drift, Boat, Underwater Navigator …
- Master Scuba Diver
- Divemaster (ages 18+)
- Assistant Instructor (ages 18+)
- Free Diving
- Diving
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 Dive Packages
- Dive Shop Courses Include:
- Discover Scuba Diving
- Diving
- Discover Scuba Diving
- 1, 2, and 5 Dive Packages
- Night Dive
- PADI Scuba Diving Courses Include:
- Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver (Emergency First Response) & Free Diving (Qualified Divers)
- Diving
- 1, 2, 5, and 10 Dive Packages
- Night Dive
- PADI Scuba Diving Courses Include:
- Discover Scuba Diving; Scuba Diver; Open Water Diver; Nitrox (Enriched Air); Advanced Open Water Diver; Night Diver; Deep Diver; Drift Diver; Wreck Diver; Rescue Diver; DiveMaster; e-learning and more…
- Private Charters are also Available
- Diving
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 Tank Dive Packages
- Night Dive
- PADI Scuba Diving Courses Include:
- Discover Scuba Diving; Refresher Pool Check
- Open Water, Advanced Courses, Online Course; EFR Course; Rescue Diver; and Divemaster
- Diving
- 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 Tank Dive Packages
- Night Dive
- 5 Star PADI Certified Dive Shop Courses Include:
- Discover Scuba Diving; Open Water; Advanced Open Water; Rescue Diver
- Speciality Courses: Deep Diver; Medic First Aid; Wreck Diver; Underwater Navigator; Divemaster; Underwater Naturalist; Night Diver; and Underwater Photography
Note: [SUST-ECO] signifies “Sustainable Eco-Tourism” as defined in our Sustainability page
Also check out our Barbados Snorkeling page
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