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Barbados Dive Sites
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The following sites were furnished by
West Side Scuba
Centre Holetown, Barbados |
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Folkstone Barge
Skill Level: Novice
Depth of wreck: 25 feet
Depth of dive: 25 feet
Due to its shallow depth it is perfect for beginners to dive on. The wreck sits in a sand patch and is surrounded
by scattered coral and some large coral heads. The wreck is used as a feeding ground and has attracted a large
number of Bermuda Chub which will eat out of your hand. After leaving the wreck and going on to the reef divers
will notice the fish following them for a while. There is usually a large school of Horse-Eye Jacks that frequent
the area but they are not as tame as the the Bermuda Chub. Sometimes you see baby turtles. |
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Bell Buoy
Skill Level: Novice - Intermediate
Depth of reef: 35 - 70 feet
Depth of dive: 35 - 60 feet
This reef is almost round and is home to all kinds of small tropical fish such as brown and blue chromis, angel
fish and parrot fish. Because of its shallow depth there is almost always an abundance of light making it a great
site for photographers. This reef also has a large number of gorgonian trees. |
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Lord Combemere
Skill Level: Novice - Intermediate
Depth of reef: 60 feet
Depth of dive: 60 feet
All types of corals and sponges surround this 70 foot wreck. It has become a haven for smaller fish like the hatchet
fish which use the wreck as shelter. You may also find the odd barracuda hiding inside, and lobsters have also
been seen frequenting the wreck. As you move away onto the reef you encounter large schools of grunts, black bars
and squirrelfish. If you are lucky you may see a turtle or stingray in the area. |
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Dottins (South)
Skill Level: Novice - Intermediate
Depth of reef: 35 - 150 feet
Depth of dive: 40 - 60 feet
Because of its shallow depth there is always a lot of light on this reef. The reef is almost always carpeted with
creole wrase. Yellow tail snappers also frequent this reef and the occasional barracuda can also be found. There
is a small turtle that lives on the reef which is seen quite regularly. The reef is a great for night dives. |
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Dottins (North)
Skill Level: Novice - Intermediate
Depth of reef: 30 - 120 feet
Depth of dive: 40 - 50 feet
This reef is a scattered reef which means that there are sand patches on the reef. This is not a bad thing because
in these sand patches one can find conch shells and the odd stingray. On this reef you also find groupers, snappers
and a variety of grunts. As one dives south the reef comes closer together and the sand fades away making way for
colourful corals and sponges. |
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Pamir
Skill Level: Novice - Intermediate
Depth of wreck: 30 - 60 feet
Depth of dive: 30 - 60 feet
This 70' wreck has become a haven for smaller fish. The wreck was sunk to enhance all types of marine life in the
area, its shallow profile make the wreck a good first dive or for use as a refresher dive. |
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Church Point
Skill Level: Novice - Intermediate
Depth of reef: 30 - 170 feet
Depth of dive: 40 - 50 feet
Like Dottins (North) this is a scattered reef and is home to a lot of small fish, black durgeon, chromes and parrot
fish. There have been sitings of the occasional stingray. There are some large coral heads which provide home to
many fish that inhabit the reef. |
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Clarke's Reef
Skill Level: Intermediate
Depth of reef: 50 - 160 feet
Depth of dive: 50 - 90 feet
This reef is inhabited by many tropical fish including a large number of yellow tail snappers, creole wrasse and
parrot fish to name just a few. This reef is also frequented by the Atlantis submarine which sometimes circles
the divers. The reef also has a large number of hard and soft corals adding to the colour and beauty of the reef. |
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Silver Bank
Skill Level: Intermediate
Depth of reef: 45 - 130 feet
Depth of dive: 70 - 80 feet
This reef is located inside of Clarke's Reef. On this reef divers may encounter the Atlantis submarine which also
visits this site. This reef is also home to many tropical fish like trigger fish, snappers of all types and small
groupers. Diving on this reef you may also encounter a few mackerel or even the odd barracuda. The reef is full
of coral and sponges adding to its beauty. |
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Village
Skill Level: Intermediate
Depth of reef: 50 - 140 feet
Depth of dive: 70 feet
Some of the largest barrel sponges on the west coast can be found on this reef. It is home to all kinds of fish
and plant life. Lobsters can also be found on this reef but they are usually hiding in cracks. |
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Barracuda Junction
Skill Level: Intermediate
Depth of reef: 35 - 150 feet
Depth of dive: 40 - 60 feet
From the name one can expect that you will almost always see barracuda, but there is a lot more to look for. The
corals and sponges have a variety of colours and add a lot of beauty to this reef. It is usually teaming with fish
of all shapes, colours and sizes. |
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Allans
Skill Level: Intermediate
Depth of reef: 65 - 190 feet
Depth of dive: 70 - 90 feet
This reef is home to large schools of barracuda and snappers. It is one of the few reefs that still has black coral
growing on it. While diving one may also come across lobsters and an occasional green moray. |
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Tropicana
Skill Level: Intermediate
Depth of reef: 68 - 190 feet
Depth of dive: 70 - 90 feet
This mysterious reef is always full of surprises. Divers may see turtles, black jacks, groupers and even, if you
are lucky, a nurse shark. Despite its depth this reef is always colourful and well lit. |
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Spawny
Skill Level: Intermediate
Depth of reef: 50 - 180 feet
Depth of dive: 50 - 70 feet
To the north you will find finger coral mounds, barrel sponges and the reef starts to become scattered, to the
south of the reef there are all kinds of plants and coral. The reef is well known for its turtles, for on almost
every dive you can be pretty sure of seeing one. French and queen angle fish can also be found. |
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Stav Reef
Skill Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Depth of reef: 70 - 160 feet
Depth of dive: 80 - 90 feet
This reef runs just behind the wreck of the Stav It is home to barracuda, snapper, cavali, a spotted moray and
smaller tropical fish that can be seen darting in and out of holes in the reef. Very nice corals and sponges. |
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Fishermans
Skill Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Depth of reef: 65 - 160 feet
Depth of dive: 70 - 90 feet
This reef is home to many tropical fish and covered with different coral, sponges and plants. There are usually
large schools of chromis and creole wrasse converging on the reef. Divers sometimes encounter turtles, barracudas
and all kinds of snappers with the odd mackerel and cavallies. |
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Sandy Lane
Skill Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Depth of reef: 70 - 145 feet
Depth of dive: 90 feet
This reef got its name because of its location, directly off the Sandy Lane hotel. Barracuda and other smaller
tropical fish frequent this reef. Lobsters can also be found on this reef but they are usually hiding in cracks. |
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Great Ledge
Skill Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Depth of reef: 55 - 140 feet
Depth of dive: 55 - 80 feet
Despite its depth there is always a lot of light and colour on this reef. It has a large selection of plant and
coral life. This reef is usually frequented by barracuda and mackerel, Atlantic spadefish and is also home to a
large number of the smaller tropical fish. |
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Bright Ledge
Skill Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Depth of reef: 50 - 200 feet
Depth of dive: 50 - 100 feet
This, being one of the northern most reefs, is alive with fish. The reef is usually frequented by barracuda and
bar jacks. There is usually a turtle or two on this reef most of the time. The reef boasts a large variety of coral
and sponges. From its name you can guess that it is always bright and colourful. |
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Stavronikita
Skill Level: Advanced
Depth of wreck: 20 - 130 feet
Depth of dive: 100 - 130 feet
The "Stav" as it is commonly known starts at 20 feet at the top of the fore mast which itself is covered
with different corals and lots of Sergeant Majors. As you go down the mast you encounter groupers and snappers
around the bottom of the mast. The wreck is well intact even though she has been down since 1978. This wreck can
be dived in two ways, from the prop up through the ship with a maximum depth of 130 feet, or along the deck and
though the cabins with a maximum depth of 100 feet. Lots of sponges and black coral have grown on her. By the prob
you can find lots of sea whips. |
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