DELORIS - Antigua South Coast

The Deloris isn’t deep, not by any stretch. We’re talking a metre or so, a snorkel site really, but what a snorkel site. This 39-metre motor vessel ran aground back in ‘85 and she’s been slowly coming apart ever since, creating this fascinating playground just below the surface. You’ll fin over twisted metal, sections of hull now completely colonised by small corals and sponges. Sunlight slices through the water, illuminating schools of tiny baitfish that shimmer around the wreck’s remaining structure. We love exploring the exposed ribs of the Deloris, imagining her full form while watching parrotfish graze on the algae coating her. Look closely and you’ll spot juvenile snapper darting in and out of the crevices. It’s not about grand marine encounters here, it’s about the intimate details, the way the ocean reclaims man-made objects. For photographers, especially wide-angle snappers, the light play is just fantastic. Go early in the morning for the best visibility and fewer other snorkelers. It’s a gentle spot, perfect for a relaxed dip after a more strenuous dive.

Location: Antigua South Coast, Antigua & Barbuda, Caribbean
Coordinates: 17.132540, -61.930460
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 1m

Marine Protected Area: Fort Barington

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to DELORIS

Antigua Scuba School
Divecarib - ["PADI"]

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

Dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) - Reef Fish
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
Longspine Squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus) - Reef Fish
Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) - Reef Fish
Butter Hamlet (Hypoplectrus unicolor) - Reef Fish
Mottled Conger Moray (Enchelycore nigricans) - Reef Fish
Key Worm Eel (Ahlia egmontis) - Reef Fish
Flamefish (Apogon maculatus) - Reef Fish
Bastard soldierfish (Myripristis jacobus) - Reef Fish
Sharpnose Pufferfish (Canthigaster rostrata) - Reef Fish
Caribbean Chestnut Moray (Enchelycore carychroa) - Reef Fish
Lizardfish (Synodus intermedius) - Reef Fish
Rosy Blenny (Malacoctenus macropus) - Reef Fish
Slate-pencil Urchin (Diadema antillarum) - Sea Urchins
Goldspot Goby (Gnatholepis thompsoni) - Reef Fish
Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) - Reef Fish
Slippery Dick (Halichoeres bivittatus) - Reef Fish
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for DELORIS

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