"The most friendly, professional dive centre in Barbados"

Diving in Barbados

Best known for its year round sunshine, friendly people and white sandy beaches, Barbados has long been the dive secret of the Caribbean. Ringed with fringe and barrier reefs, this coral island, swept by nutrient rich currents of the Atlantic Ocean, blooms with healthy corals and plant life. Unique in many ways to her neighbouring islands, Barbados boasts a marine eco-system so diverse it boggles the mind. Lush barrier reef systems, sloping gently up from the ocean floor to within 60ft (18m) of the surface along the south and west coasts, offer great diving opportunities, including some drift diving on the south side.

Large coral heads packed closely together form habitats for thousands of multi-coloured tropical fish. Many larger predators frequent these reefs to feed on the schools of small bait fish. hawksbill turtles are quite common and can be approached slowly for those close up pictures. Located one half to two miles from shore, these reefs are best accessed by boat.

Nearer to shore and forming an almost complete ring around the island are the fringe and patching reefs. These shallow sites 40ft (13m) to 60ft (18m) in depth, have somewhat smaller coral formations and more plant life than the barrier reefs and are busy nurseries for small tropical fish.

No other Caribbean island offers better wreck diving than Barbados, with more than 10 wrecks to choose from and many more waiting to be discovered. Carlisle bay alone has recorded more than 200 lost ships, mainly due to storms, some dating as far back as the 17th century.

The Queen of all modern wreck dives is undoubtably the S.S. Stravonikita. this Greek Freighter, some 365ft long, was sunk purposely in 1978 and lies perfectly upright at a maximum depth of 137ft (45m) with her mast reaching to within 18ft (6m) of the surface. 17 profiles take you through this ship, ranging in levels of certification and experience from Open Water to Wreck Specialist.

Visit our Dive Sites page for information on our dive schedule and sites.

Diving Conditions

Barbados is good for diving all year round, but summer months produce the best opportunities for diving on the north and east sides of the island. Visibility ranges between 40ft - 70ft (13m - 23m) average, up to 100ft (33m) in summer. Water temperature is fairly constant at 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chamber

Barbados has one recompression chamber, which is situated at St. Ann's Fort, midway between the major dive sites and is staffed around the clock by two full time doctors, trained in Hyperbaric medicine and backed by defence Force personnel.

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Exploresub Barbados
St. Lawrence Gap, Christ Church, Barbados, West Indies.
Tel: 1 (246) 435 6542
E-mail: x-sub@caribsurf.com