Dive Sites in Barbados (Caribbean)

The tropical island paradise of Barbados is surrounded by lush reef, delicate corals and famous ship wrecks including the Stravronikita.

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Dive Site Overview for Barbados

The beautiful island of Barbados is fringed with healthy reefs and plant vegetation providing excelent habitat for all the marine life.

The Barrier reef (0.5 - 2 miles from shore) is perfect for finding colourful sea creatures and Hawksbill turtles. Closer to the shore in the more sheltered areas are some smaller coral formations housing sea horses, frog fish, giant sand eels and other tropical species.

There are many wrecks around Barbados, Carlisle Bay alone has over 200 reported wrecks including the famous Stavronikita. The 'Stav' is 365 ft Greek freighter built in Denmark that caught fire whilst transporting cement from Ireland to the Caribbean in 1976. Sadly 6 crew member died in the explosion but amazingly 24 survived and were rescued after drifting in the open sea for 4 whole days! The ship was later cleaned of pollutants and sank off the west coast of Barbados.

Carlisle Bay Marine Park is popular site for all divers. It has 6 ship wrecks close by, there are real and artificial reefs here housing beautiful corals hosting a wide variety of tropical species.

The North and East coasts are more exposed to the Atlantic Ocean so diving here is more seasonal than the in the West but equally rewarding.

The water temperature averages 26 C and diving can be done all year round although is considered best during summer months. Visibility ranges from 15 - 40m and conditions are generally calm and accessible for all diving abilities.