Divers Guide To The Coral Reefs Of Antigua

Antigua is the ideal location for a diving holiday, set as it is within an almost complete border of coral reefs, and surrounded by the clear Caribbean waters and the vast Atlantic. Along with the island of Barbuda, which forms the other half of this nation, Antigua has some of the best diving sites in the Eastern Caribbean, with the majority concentrated around Antigua. Diving around Barbuda offers plenty of interesting sights and experiences too.

The East and South coasts of Antigua are the best places for divers, while the whole Barbudan coast offers equally welcoming conditions. The currents in these areas are gentle almost to the point of non-existence. The water stays warm all year, usually maintaining a comfortable temperature of about 80°F (25°C). The reefs, shelves and walls that have formed here offer many different views, and the excellent clarity of the water means that visibility is 50 to 144 feet, so there is no chance of missing the diverse species of fish and other animals, or the chance to take a closer look at the corals and marine plants.

Cades Reef is perhaps the favorite site of visiting divers. This is a two and a half mile long reef that lies parallel to Antigua’s southwest coast. It can be reached in under an hour in a boat from St John, which is Antigua’s capital. There are plenty of dive spots to choose from along the reef, where there are numerous chances to spot the most colorful and intriguing animals as well as stunning sea fans and other soft corals. The sea here is usually very calm, but if the weather does get a little rough divers are usually advised to keep to the sheltered side if the reef. Cades is home to many of the larger animals that visit reefs, such as reef sharks and nurse sharks, barracuda, green eels and moray eels, eagle rays and lobster.

The underwater Park is a section of the Cades Reef that has been designated specifically as an area for diving and snorkeling. There are opportunities for both novice and experienced divers to explore the shallow waters here.

The inner reef is out of bounds to divers, however. It is a haven for wildlife, while the outer reef has been left open for tourism. This means that the beauty and diversity of Cades will be conserved for the future, while divers are still able to take the opportunity to visit and experience the wonders of Antigua for themselves.