Cades Reef - Antigua South Coast

Cades Reef is a proper Caribbean classic, and it’s always one of our first stops when we’re back in Antigua. It’s a long barrier reef, a really healthy stretch of hard corals that starts shallow and slopes down to about 25 metres. We love that it’s usually pretty calm here, making it perfect for newer divers or anyone who just wants to drift along and take it all in without too much effort. Our favourite part has to be the sheer volume of schooling fish. You’ll fin through clouds of grunts and snappers, and the way the light filters through them is just magic. Keep an eye out for green turtles munching on the seagrass in the shallows; they’re often completely unfazed by divers. We’ve also had some cracking encounters with nurse sharks tucked under ledges, and the morays here, particularly the mottled congers, seem a bit bolder than elsewhere. The reef itself has some lovely overhangs and swim-throughs, not complex, but enough to make it interesting. Go early in the morning before the day boats arrive for the quietest dive.

Location
Antigua South Coast, Antigua & Barbuda, Caribbean
Coordinates
17.020000, -61.860000
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
5-25m
Difficulty
Beginner

Marine Protected Area: Cades Bay

Best Time to Dive in Antigua South Coast

The warmest water temperatures in Antigua South Coast occur in January, averaging 27.2°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.2°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.2°C (air: 25.5°C)
  • February: 27.2°C (air: 25.3°C)
  • March: 27.2°C (air: 25.6°C)
  • April: 27.2°C (air: 26.3°C)
  • May: 27.2°C (air: 27.4°C)
  • June: 27.2°C (air: 28.1°C)
  • July: 27.2°C (air: 28.1°C)
  • August: 27.2°C (air: 28.3°C)
  • September: 27.2°C (air: 28.2°C)
  • October: 27.2°C (air: 27.8°C)
  • November: 27.2°C (air: 26.9°C)
  • December: 27.2°C (air: 26.1°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Antigua South Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to Cades Reef

Marine Life in Antigua South Coast

Home to 234 recorded species including 201 reef fish, 7 other, 5 whales & dolphins, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 hard corals, 2 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Cades Reef

Based on average water temperature of 27.2°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories