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For a lot of scuba lovers, there’s nothing higher than being close to the ocean, the place diving every single day is feasible. Not everyone seems to be that lucky, however some locations provide scuba experiences so wealthy, they virtually make up for not having a scuba-friendly seashore in your individual yard.
The Caribbean island of Antigua is a type of locations. There’s a lot to discover beneath the waves off its coasts that it helps to consider what you most wish to see even earlier than you arrive. Diving right here is much more rewarding with the choice to visit Antigua’s sister isle, Barbuda, and expertise its underwater world as nicely. This implies you’ll have two islands to discover in a nook of the Caribbean that’s sure to rekindle your love for the world above and under the waves.
Image: Let rest be your focus as you verify right into a trip full of diving and lighthearted moments underneath the Caribbean solar on the all-inclusive resorts in Antigua.
Skilled tip: All-inclusive resort Sandals Grande Antigua on Dickenson Bay provides its PADI® licensed friends free scuba diving journeys (max. two tanks a day) as a part of their all-inclusive package deal. This contains skilled tools {and professional} dive employees. Visitors may conveniently get PADI® licensed on the resort for a further value.
Excited to your dive journey? We don’t blame you. Right here’s all the things you need to find out about diving in Antigua and what awaits beneath the floor.
On this article on the Sandals Weblog:
The Antigua underwater scene
Sandals best dive spots in Antigua
Best time to dive in Antigua
Diving with Sandals Resorts in Antigua
Stay safe and dive in!
The Antigua underwater scene
The Caribbean is known for its unimaginable dive spots, and every island provides a novel expertise. In Antigua and Barbuda, the draw is the wholesome, well-preserved reefs that teem with marine life of each variety. Simply off the coast, you’ll be able to wall dive, drift dive, and even discover shipwrecks like Jettias Wreck. Whether or not you’re simply beginning off and searching for a shallow dive with plenty of nice sightings, or one thing slightly extra superior, you gained’t have a tough time discovering the proper dive web site for you in Antigua.
What you’ll see whereas diving in Antigua will depend on the placement and time of 12 months. As a rule although, you will spot issues like parrotfish, angelfish, batfish, grunts, turtles, moray eels, lobster, eagle rays, barracuda, and in some locations reef sharks, nurse sharks, and even black tip reef sharks. Playful dolphins typically make appearances as nicely. This in fact is along with the numerous kinds of arduous and mushy coral, and different rock formations that outline a few of the most intricate underwater websites in Antigua.
Insider tip: Barbuda is a well-liked location for turtle watchers as many turtles swim to the island to nest yearly. Whereas scuba diving close to Barbuda, relying on the time of 12 months, you’re prone to spot plenty of turtles, and even new hatchlings making their method into the ocean!
Sandals finest dive spots in Antigua
1. Jettias Wreck
Dive Degree: Novice
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Wreck divers in Antigua can begin off with an underwater exploration of the Jettias Wreck. Simply west of Sandals Grande Antigua, the Jettias Wreck is among the high dive websites on the island. The French steam powered freighter that may be seen right here sank in 1817 and it is among the oldest wrecks off the coasts off Antigua. Throughout a dive right here, you’ll be able to count on to see trumpet fish, parrot fish, grunts, blue tangs, Spanish hogfish, barracuda and snapper.
2. Pillars of Hercules (Pillar’s Reef)
Dive Degree: Novice
Photograph credit score: Kyle Lippenberger/Shutterstock.com
The Pillars of Hercules reef, or Pillar’s Reef as additionally it is identified, is described by many who go there as in “glorious situation”. “Formed like fingers”, visibility is unbelievable at this reef, which is among the causes it’s thought-about one among Antigua’s finest. Sightings right here embody flounders, black durgons and plenty of different species of reef fish. This is among the diving experiences in Antigua that you simply’re probably going to wish to repeat when you resurface!
3. Mary Kay Reef
Dive Degree: Novice
Mary Kay Reef is well-known for its abundance of mushy coral heads and the eclectic assortment of reef fishes. That is primarily a spur and groove web site the place there are a couple of small ledges and undercuts. Lobster and barracuda are normally current, and there’s additionally a excessive probability of recognizing turtles and stingrays. Reef shark sightings listed below are attainable, however much less widespread.
4. Chimney’s Reef
Dive Degree: Grasp
Photograph credit score: Jeferson Techera/Shutterstock.com
Beginning at 40 ft and reaching about 80 ft in depth, Chimney Reef is finest fitted to divers with a wealth of confidence and expertise. The title of this reef comes from its options – the rock face beneath the ocean at this location has a gap that goes as much as the highest of the ledge. It’s fairly a sight to see and expertise, as you swim together with Atlantic spadefish, black jacks, angel fish, barracudas, and nurse sharks, a few of which love hanging out within the chimney. This in depth reef is right for drift diving.
5. Rambo’s Reef
Dive Degree: Superior
Photograph credit score: Jao Cuyos/Shutterstock.com
Rambo’s Reef is finest fitted to divers with extra expertise, searching for a deeper dive. The ledge here’s a giant a part of the attraction, and it goes down 100 ft. There’s a valley to admire on the best way again – make sure you take note of the intriguing marine species you’ll spot alongside the best way, a few of which might be simply as all in favour of you, as you’re in them! Sightings right here usually embody reef fishes, turtles, lobster, stingrays, and extra.
6. Monk’s Head
Dive Degree: Novice
Photograph credit score: Andrea Izzotti/Shutterstock.com
Monk’s Head is value placing in your dive checklist whereas in Antigua. The utmost depth of this reef is round 50 ft, and this dive is right for scuba divers who wish to preserve issues easy. Whereas diving this round coral knoll, look out for trumpet fish, parrot fish, snappers, Creole wrasse, Atlantic spadefish, and southern stingray.
7. Roads
Dive Degree: Novice
Photograph credit score: koo_chan/Shutterstock.com
Roads is a lesser identified diving web site in Antigua, nevertheless it’s one you’ll be able to ask about when you arrive if you’d like a peaceful and simple dive. Coral heads are a outstanding characteristic right here, as are the brief pillars you’ll spot underneath the waves. Except for the fishes you’ll see going about their every day lives on the reef which accurately resembles undersea roads, likelihood is excessive of operating into totally different species of turtles.
8. Snappers Ledge
Dive Degree: Superior
Photograph credit score: Drew McArthur/Shutterstock.com
You’ll have to be previous the newbie levels to benefit from Snappers Ledge in Antigua. Because the title of this reef suggests, snappers are generally seen right here, as are different fish species together with massive eye jacks, Spanish mackerel and barracuda. The ledge right here begins on the 50 ft mark and goes all the best way to the 80 ft mark.
9. Cades Reef
Dive Degree: Novice
Photograph credit score: frantisekhojdysz/Shutterstock.com
Cades Reef is ideal for each snorkeling and scuba diving because the reef is close to the shore. Regardless of that, likelihood is excessive for cool sightings, together with parrotfish, lobster, and eels, in addition to eagle rays, moray eels, and barracuda additional out. Generally nurse sharks wish to swim on this space, notably underneath the coral overhangs the place they go to relaxation. Reef sharks have additionally been noticed right here, and like nurse sharks, they’re identified to be a non-aggressive species.
10. Kay Level Reef
Dive Degree: Novice
Photograph credit score: Richard Whitcombe/Shutterstock.com
When you’ve simply obtained your diving certification in Antigua and also you’re searching for a dive web site that’s thrilling but straightforward to navigate, look no additional than Kay Level Reef. This well-liked reef is round in look, and sea followers, barrel sponges, and different varieties of coral are ample at this location. Generally you could spot nurse sharks on this space, and there’s additionally an opportunity of coming throughout black tip sharks, the latter of which is the second most seen shark within the Caribbean.
Finest time to dive in Antigua
Like most Caribbean islands, there’s hardly a foul time to journey to Antigua. The climate on this Caribbean isle is constant all year long (mid 80s). The driest months in Antigua are December to April, and as such, they’re related to being the most effective time to go. That is additionally thought-about peak season for journey to Antigua, which suggests there’ll probably be a excessive quantity of vacationers going to the island throughout these months. June to November are sometimes slightly cloudier. Even nonetheless, for those who journey throughout this time the climate will principally stay sunny and accommodating – identical to you’d envisioned in your vacation in Antigua!
Diving with Sandals Resorts in Antigua
Visitors at any of the Sandals all-inclusive resorts can select between early morning dives and afternoon dives. That is good if you wish to dive earlier within the day however nonetheless have time to take pleasure in different actions later, or for those who desire to not get up tremendous early every single day of your trip. Have in mind although that a few of the extra superior dive websites could also be a bit additional out, which could require some early morning rising for those who’d wish to go.
The Sandals dive group meets new divers on a regular basis and are used to taking friends round to the preferred dive websites. When you present them what you’re able to, likelihood is they’ll take you round to a few of the extra superior dive websites, and contemplate the place you’d wish to go after they’re planning the every day dives.
All tools is included for Sandals divers, which suggests you don’t must convey something together with you moreover your wetsuit. At a small further value, you’ll be able to hire a wetsuit for those who select to take action.
Though you would possibly fall in love with the dive group, keep in mind that ideas for many Sandals employees, together with the dive group, are already included in your all-inclusive package deal. A heartfelt “thanks” is at all times appreciated, and a few friends like to point out additional appreciation for a full dive week with a small present, similar to a dive gadget or a bottle of rum. It is totally as much as you!
As you get set to dive every single day of your all-inclusive trip, you’ll take pleasure in not having to fret about paying for every expertise. As soon as you’re licensed with Sandals or earlier than your arrival, scuba diving is included for the remainder of your trip, as much as two tanks per day.
PADI® certification made straightforward with Sandals Resorts
When you’re not PADI® licensed but, one of the best ways to get began is by finishing the e-learning portion earlier than you arrive at Sandals. This fashion, you will get into the water shortly when you get there. To get licensed with Sandals, you’ll must register after which pay the common PADI® certification charges, be taught in regards to the tools, and do some pool coaching. When you’re comfy and aware of all of the security laws and communication indicators, you’ll be nearly able to dive in.
Tip: Whilst you’re gearing up to your Sandals scuba trip, take a look at a few of the Sandals scuba courses or take a look on the scuba dive sites obtainable close to the resort.
Dive Into the Better of Scuba Diving in Antigua
There you have got it, the most effective scuba diving websites in Antigua. And whereas the thrill of planning a dive is half the enjoyable, it helps to maintain a couple of fundamentals in thoughts earlier than you get into the water. For starters, take a while to brush up on the protection protocols so you will really feel assured and prepared when it is time to dive in.
Step one is getting licensed. As soon as that’s full, you’ll must determine who to dive with. Once you’re signed up and prepared, take a couple of minutes to verify over your dive gear and ensure all the things’s in good working order.
From there, preserve your dive grasp’s steerage high of thoughts. As you are taking within the placing sights and sounds beneath the waves, bear in mind to stay near your dive buddy. It’s additionally good to look into dive insurance coverage forward of time, simply in case any sudden conditions pop up, like medical emergencies.
Learn ‘Top 50 Things To Do For An Unmatched Vacation’ to see what else you are able to do in Antigua!
Image: On the all-inclusive Sandals Grande Antigua, you’ll be able to take off for a scuba session every time the second feels proper with diving (as much as 2 tanks per day) included together with your trip package deal.
