Scuba Diving Barbados

Barbados is a popular location for diving, largely due to the amazing reefs which surround the island and are filled with coral, sponges, and plant life. The area features several reefs, each with its own sights to offer.

The barrier reefs are a popular spot for scuba diving Barbados and can be found roughly a mile and a half from the shore. This is a great area for snorkeling because it features thousands of colorful fish which live among the large coral heads here. Larger fish and animals can be found in the barrier reefs as well such as the Hawksbill turtle. Closer to the shoreline you can visit the smaller patching reefs and fringes of smaller coral formations that are teeming with life forms such as sea horses, frog fish, giant eels, and much more.

Hawksbill Turtle in Barbados

Photo by Noodlefish

If you enjoy wreck dives, then Barbados has a lot to offer in this department. In fact, Carlisle Bay has four wrecks, namely: Fox, Berwyn, Eilon, and C-Trek. These sites not only feature authentic historical wrecks to explore, but also are populated by topical fish, eels, seahorses, and many other exotic sea creatures. Another great wreck to be explored is Pamir which is located on the north end of the island. This is 165 foot long wreck is roughly 60 feet deep and the perfect wreck dive for beginners.

The Folkstone Marine Park has a lot to offer as well. Folkstone offers an artificial reef that was created from the sinking of a large ship that had been destroyed by a fire, the Stavronikita. It can be easily reached just half a mile from the shoreline; however, it is only recommended that experienced divers with accompaniment explore this wreck as it is especially deep. There are plenty of things to do for less experienced swimmers such as the inshore reef found in the park’s recreation area.

There are many excellent sites for reef scuba diving in Barbados such as Buoy Bay, Shark Bank, Maycocks Bay, and Dottins. Buoy Bay is a dome shaped reef that is a well known attraction to divers due to its massive sloping corals that provide the perfect habitat to surrounding schools of tropical fish. Shark Banks is the perfect place to go to see sea turtles, so the name can be a bit of a misnomer. Finally, Maycocks Bay is a great place to visit for seeing barracudas and various rays.

If you are planning on taking a vacation in Barbados, any time of year is fine, but the summer months probably have the most to offer. The water stays a consistently warm temperature and it offers excellent visibility from 40 to 70 feet. The area also features plenty of experienced dive guides who can provide you with advice, equipment, and even guided tours of all the island has to offer. There are plenty of great beaches nearby as well and The Palms Resort makes an excellent place to stay during your trip.