20 Best Dive Sites in Barbados in 2023

Aptly named, The Boot dive site on Barbados’ west coast is situated just off the famous Sandy Beach. This reef combines the best of two worlds, reef and wreck, thanks to the small Coast Guard ship that met its end in these waters. The reef itself is vibrant with excellent coral cover. Sponges and corals also coat the wreckage. At between 12 to 24 meters (40-80ft), and in a sheltered location, The Boot is a good site for all divers and a popular Barbados dive.

Things to see

Turtles are the big find here with more than one species present most of the time. Keep an eye out for trumpet fish and peacock (flowery) flounders, too.

Barbados has some of the best wreck diving in the Caribbean in terms of diversity and accessibility and Carlisle Bay is a good example of why. Situated on the island’s south-west coast, Carlisle is home to six sunken vessels. A marine park, the sheltered bay offers the ideal place for beginner divers to start exploring Barbados’ wreck diving sites.

Things to see

Apart from the ever-present turtles, divers flock to Carlisle for the wrecks, the most popular of which is the Bajan Queen. The Berwin is also worth a visit, this French tug, which sunk in 1919, is the oldest wreck in the bay. She rests at 7.6m/25ft.

It’s not every day one gets to dive among the remnants of an abandoned cement factory but this is what diving at Cement Plant Pier is all about. Located on the north coast, the pier’s chunky columns provide homes to a wide variety of marine life. The site is also accessible from both shore or a boat. This dive is one of the most popular in Barbados, so chat with your dive school and try to arrange a time when it is less frequently visited.

Things to see

The remains of the pier have excellent coral cover all over the imposing columns. Lots of tropical fish hide here, including the elusive frogfish. Divers should also look out for crabs, scorpionfish, gurnard, lobster, and long-snout seahorses.

Considered by many to be the best wreck dive in Barbados, the SS Stavronikita has been resting upright between 35 and 9 meters (114-29ft) in Barbados’ west coast since 1976. The Greek freighter caught on fire in the early 70s and after being rescued, finally sunk in Barbados’ tropical waters. Because of the depth variations, the wreck is suitable for divers of all levels. It is also penetrable but special training is advised before divers undertake this.

Things to see

The wreckage is an established artificial reef and now, after thirty years under the surface, it is encrusted with coral and life. Keep an eye out for the large gorgonian fans, barracuda, and turtles.

Called Barracuda Junction because of the large schools of barracuda who prowl the lengths and depths looking for a meal, this Barbados reef provides a home to plenty of fish, so the barracudas usually get lucky. Most dives here are done as a drift between 18 and 24 meters (65-80ft) but the reef does slope down to a maximum depth of around 44 meters (150ft).

Things to see

Apart from the barracuda who give the site its name, there are plenty of colorful sponges and reef fishes to keep divers engaged. Large schools of baitfish also congregate here.

Purposefully sunk on the west coast, the Pamir is a well-preserved wreck that has been delighting divers since 1983. The interior divisions have, for the most part, been torn away so penetration of the wreck is easy. Plus with plenty of marine life making the Pamir their home, it’s a great dive all-round.

Things to see

Look out for the small submarine, which located just off the bow’s port side. Snake eels, plenty of tropical fish, and the occasional turtle passing by mean photographers will be happy to dive the Pamir.

When the waters are calm and the weather is good, divers can leave the sheltered Carribean side of Barbados and head to Consett Bay on the Atlantic east coast. Unlike the more colorful, tropical west side, the waters here are packed with huge coral formations, caverns, and swim-throughs. Plus with the Atlantic ocean comes the chance to see sharks — creatures Barbados isn’t well known for but that certainly visit the island.

Things to see

Sharks! If you’re in luck, large pelagics such as jacks and king trevally will cruise past you in the blue water, too.

While beautiful Maycocks Bay is not ideal for swimmers, it does house some excellent diving for those willing to go under the water in this bay’s sometimes tumultuous waters. Once under the surface, divers are met by large blocks of reef interspersed with white sandy channels to follow and explore.

Things to see

Plenty of parrotfish live here and help contribute to those pure white sands you see everywhere in Barbados. Look out for the schools of Bermuda chub and the lobsters who hide in the reef’s crevices. The barrel sponges make for great photographs, too.

Located not too far away from Dover beach is Highwire, a dive site that takes its name from one unusual feature: submerged cables suspended over the reef. Although the waters aren’t always calm here, it’s a great dive site that is infrequently visited, just save it for a day when the surface is flat. Located at a depth of 18 to 36 meters (60-120ft), this Barbados dive is best reserved for advanced divers.

Things to see

The reef itself is in good condition, sponges and corals hide plenty of tiny creatures including shrimp and nudibranchs — good news for slug lovers! Macro photographers will have a ball at this site and there’s plenty to discover for those without a camera, too.

Off Fitts Village on the west coast and located near the SS Stavronikita, is one of the lesser-visited dive sites around the island. Victor’s reef offers depths between 15 and 37 meters (50-120ft) and features a combination of both soft and hard corals, making it quite different from other reefs in the area. This varied topography forms a backdrop for huge numbers of fish and marine life.

Things to see

Victor’s is a great dive for seeing some of the bigger creatures, such as turtles and rays. But look to the reef closely and you’ll be treated to some smaller life including soldierfish, butterflyfish, and even the elusive seahorse.

The Muff is a 25-meter-wide (80ft) ridge sitting at 18 meters (60ft) depth. It’s also probably the Barbados dive site with the most colorful name! The seaward side drops down sharply to over 40 meters (130ft) while the opposite side has a gentle slope reaching down to a depth of 30 meters (100ft). The reef is covered in barrel sponges, large sea fans, coral whips, and plumes. The Muff is famous locally for the bright orange elephant ear sponges that add an extra pop of color.

Things to see

Barracuda are frequently seen here, along with horse-eye jacks, blackjacks, and the occasional shark. There are also plenty of eels and rays to keep divers entertained.

An abundance of marine life makes Johnsons one of the most popular dives in Barbados. Stunning soft corals and huge tube and barrel sponges are a haven for small critters; macro photographers should definitely bring their cameras. Large schools of fish hover and dance above and around the reef. Calm conditions and depths of 21 to 24 meters (70-80ft) offer photographers the chance to focus on capturing that perfect shot.

Things to see

Keen-eyed divers can spot a whole host of macro creatures hiding out among the corals. Parrotfish, turtles, and schools of barracuda are just a few of the highlights of Johnsons reef.

This shallow reef dive on Barbados’ west coast lies at 12 to 18 meters (40-60ft), so there’s always plenty of light filtering through. Towards the northern end, the reef is scattered with lush corals and sandy patches, while the south is carpeted in sponges and bright colored corals. Due to its shallow depth and the fact that it’s easily accessible, Dottins is a popular spot for night dives.

Things to see

Creole wrasse blanket the reef while grouper, yellowtail snapper, and grunts are frequent visitors. Look out for stingrays and conch shells hidden in the sandy patches. Resident turtles are often seen swimming around in search of food.

Although not as shallow as Dottins, there’s plenty of light and color at Barbados’ Great Ledge dive site. The reef stretches from 17 to 24 meters (55-80ft) and is carpeted in a wide variety of coral and plant life, all of which provide shelter for a multitude of large and small marine creatures.

Things to see

Atlantic spadefish, Mackeral, lizardfish, and scrawled filefish are just some of the creatures that call the Great Ledge their home. Lower down on the reef and hidden amongst the corals, spotted eels poke their heads out on a hunt for food.

The Bajan Queen, one of Barbados’ most popular wreck dives, began life as a tug boat before becoming a party venue when she was decommissioned. Eventually, she was purposely sunk in 2002 and now lies at 12 meters (40ft) in Carlisle Bay. The old tug is so tall, that she almost breaks through the surface. Now a thriving artificial reef, the Bajan Queen has become hugely popular as it offers novice divers a great introduction to wreck diving. A large engine room is easily penetrable and is a fun way to begin exploring. Off the stern, there’s also a small reef for divers to explore.

Things to see

The lower deck features a school of glassy sweepers who hang out by a spiral staircase. Banded coral shrimp, anemones, and bristle worms are just some of the creatures that live in and around the wreck.

Depths of 9 to 28 meters (30-90ft) make Old Fort a shallow dive that is ideal for beginners. The reef heads out from the remains of a historic fort so there’s some history behind the dive site’s name. Small groups of sponges and coral boulders litter the sandy bottom, along with a collection of cannonballs and antique bottles. Photographers will be in their element as the reef at Old Fort is all about the macro life.

Things to see

Sea anemones offer some good photo opportunities with their resident cleaner shrimp. Some of the other fish populating Old Fort include glassy eyes, grunts, yellow goatfish, and spotted drum.

Bright Ledge is one of the most vibrant reefs among all of Barbados’ dive sites. Beginning at 15 meters (50ft) and dropping down to 60 meters (200ft), the reef is alive with colorful corals, sponges, and a medley of marine creatures.

Things to see

The reef attracts barracudas, nurse sharks, and manta rays who come to feed. There’s also the opportunity to see the endangered Hawksbill turtle. Bright Ledge is a great site for spotting shellfish, such as crabs and lobsters, too.

At 18 to 28 meters (60-90ft) and encrusted with life, Clarke’s Bank is a beautiful and vibrant reef. The dive site’s mixture of soft and hard corals and large, red gorgonian sea fans means that photographers will be in their element. The site is often frequented by the locally-based Atlantis Submarine, which circles the reef and the divers. It’s a strange experience to observe people who are watching you and a must-do Barbados experience!

Things to see

Horse-eye jacks, creole wrasse, and yellowtail snapper are some of the highlights of Clarke’s Bank.

Caribbee consists of a dome-shaped reef at 18 meters (60ft) that drops off on either side to 46 meters (150ft). Heading in a westerly direction, the topography is dominated by an abundance of purple sea fans, deep-red gorgonian fans, and sea whips that appear to line the reef in near-perfect formation. Most divers stay on top of the reef to maximize their bottom time.

Things to see

Barracuda, eagle rays, and turtles are often spotted around the area. Caribbee is an excellent dive site to see the huge variety of reef fish the Caribbean has to offer.

As the name suggests, Bell Buoy is a bell-shaped reef. Thanks to is size, it offers something for divers of all levels. The massive reef is located 9 to 21 meters (30-70ft) below the surface and is covered in a forest of corals that play host to all manner of creatures. When the bright sunlight shines on the shallow reef, the setting is ideal for photographers.

Things to see

Bell Buoy is a reef literally teeming with marine life including gorgonian corals, angelfish, parrotfish, and Chromises.