Scuba Diving in Anguilla

DIVE CONDITIONS

Water Temperature: Water temperature lows are 79F in the winter and 85F in the summer.

Water Visibility: 35-100 feet

When to Go: Any time during the year. The air temperature is always warm with averages between 78-84F. The wettest months are September through November.

Diving Difficulty: Beginner-Advanced

TOP DIVE SITES IN ANGUILLA

Anguilla caters to the diving enthusiast! Listed are some of the very best that Anguilla can offer divers:

• Stoney Bay Marine Park: Stoney Bay Marine Park is home to the El Buen Consejo shipwreck. Protected by law, this marine park has rich biodiversity and a well-preserved shipwreck. Divers will find this area filled with coral, stingrays, eels, tropical fish, and lobsters. Many shark species enjoy this area and divers will enjoy sea caves and vibrant coral reefs at varying depths.
• Frenchman Reef: Frenchman Reef is suitable for all diving levels. It does not have any shipwrecks to explore but will impress any diver with vibrant coral and schools of fish. Located off the Western tip of Anguilla, this reef is about 78 feet deep and includes a large reef of rock formations and hard and soft corals. Divers can expect to see nurse sharks, stingrays, lobster, and barracuda.
• Anguillita Reef: Located off the western tip of mainland Anguilla, Anguillita Reef is surrounded by two small uninhabited rocky islands and is suitable for all diving levels. There are a series of underwater caves and coral-filled walls for divers to explore. Marine life includes moray eels, lobsters, and cleaner shrimp. Other sightings include big tarpon, southern stingrays, and eagle rays.
• Blowing Rock: Blowing Rock is filled with rock formations where eels, lobsters, barracuda, and reef sharks inhabit. With colorful corals and abundance of fish, Blowing Rock is located Southwest of Anguilla. This reef has a maximum depth of 40 feet and is an easy dive with amazing visibility.
• Dog Island: West Cay and Devil’s Wall located off Dog Island are two of the best dives in Anguilla. Accessible to all diving levels, both sites descend about 80 feet to the sea floor. Divers will encounter stingrays and sharks. Underwater caves are a diver’s dream where lobsters and eels can be found as well as various macro life living in the crevices of the rocks.
• MV Catheley H: MV Catheley H is a 110-foot boat that was intentionally put here to become an artificial reef in 1993. Suitable for all diving levels, marine life includes encrusting corals and invertebrates, lobster, octopus, eels, stingray, and bar jacks.
• MV Oosterdiep: Built in the Netherlands in 1957, this 150-foot ship ran aground in Road Bay Harbour and is suitable for all diving levels. It was salvaged to become an artificial reef northwest of Meads Bay in 1990. The wreck rests on a sandy bottom in a bed of garden eels. Cleaner shrimps banded, coral shrimps and arrow crabs make their home here. Divers may also see fire worms, snappers, jacks, and blue tangs.
• Sarah: Located 80 feet under the surface of the water, this 250-foot steel shipwreck rests on the sandy floor mostly intact. This artificial reef is suitable for all levels.
• Commerce: Located 60-80 feet below the water, this 150 ft cargo ship was damaged in Hurricane Klaus in 1984. Commerce rests on a slope, and divers can experience the cargo of old cars, machine parts and a broken crane that remains on the deck. The propeller is intact and the bow rests on the original coral reef. Divers can expect to swim with schools of fish and lobsters. This dive is suitable for all levels.
• Sea Fan: Noted as the safest dive site in Anguilla, the Sea Fan is anchored on a Sandy bottom in 7-8 feet of water. The water is very calm due to the three reef structures that surround and protect it. At just 15 feet under the water, divers are surrounded by diverse types of soft corals and a forest of sea fans. At a maximum depth of 40 feet, this dive is amazing for snorkelers and novice divers. Southern stingrays, eagle rays and turtles frequent this reef.
• Beginners Reef: This reef hosts a boat anchored in 10-15 feet of water. Divers’ swim along the edge of the reef structure that drops down as deep as 60 feet and curves left and right and heads another 60 feet in both directions. Attractions at this reef include tarpon, southern stingrays and Atlantic spadefish.
• Angel Reef: Angel fish, stingrays and turtles love this reef which makes this dive perfect for snorkeling and diving. The 10-12 feet high sea whips and gigantic sea fans add to the amazing attraction to this dive.
• Lobster Reef: This reef is named for the Caribbean lobster that can be found enjoying this coral reef. This reef resembles a huge horseshoe shaped plateau. While exploring this reef, divers can spot nurse sharks that are hiding out under the ledgers.
• Shoal Bay Reef: This reef offers great snorkeling where there are an abundance of southern stingrays and lobsters to interact with.

TOP ATTRACTIONS IN ANGUILLA

• Shoal Bay East Beach: This beautiful beach is ideal for snorkeling and swimming. Umbrellas and lounge chairs are available to rent.
• Island Horbour: Located on the island’s northeastern side, this fishing village is a wonderful place to explore local life. Local anglers use the harbour as a launching point and park their brightly colored boats along the beach. A couple of tourist attractions are close including Big Springs National Park where a partially collapsed cave containing Amerindian petroglyphs dating from the 9^th In late March, the harbour hosts the Festival Del Mar. This two-day celebration of the sea includes entertainment, competitions, food, music, and activities; something for the whole family.
• Rendezvous Bay: The waters at Rendezvous Bay are calm and shallow and the sand is like powder. This stretch of the coast is perfect for families. At the western end of the beach, those looking for more excitement will enjoy Bankie Banx’s Dune Preserve. With an authentic Caribbean vibe and live music, it is a fantastic place to relax and enjoy a drink.
• Meads Bay Beach: Known as one of the most popular beaches on the island, Meads Bay Beach has soft, fine sand. Beach chairs and umbrellas can be rented to enjoy this stunning area. The upscale and famous Blanchards restaurant and Beach Shack are located here.
• The Valley: Anguilla’s capital and center of the island, the Valley is a wonderful place to sightsee. Anguilla National Trust has exhibits on the island’s natural and cultural history. The Anguilla Heritage tour, birding tours and nature hikes can be organized here. A main tourist attraction is the Wallblake House, a plantation built in 1787. There are small galleries containing Caribbean art and unique souvenirs. Anguilla Watersports is one of the largest inflatable aqua parks in the Caribbean. Paddleboarding tours, glass-bottom kayaking and kitesurfing lessons can be reserved here and are exciting activities for families to enjoy. Crocus Hill is the highest point on the island and is a beautiful place for incredible views of the island.
• Heritage Collection Museum: The history of the island comes alive at the Heritage Collection Museum. This museum contains island artifacts, early 20^th-century photographs, old postage stamps and important island documents that show the island’s history.

Although Anguilla does not receive the same hype as the other Caribbean islands, the powder white beaches, award-winning food, water sports, music festivals, and extraordinary diving sites offer diving enthusiasts an utterly unique and relaxing travel experience.