Middle Reef

Best months: Dec–Apr

Protected Area

Cades Bay

Why dive here

With 229+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and orcas - Middle Reef offers some of Antigua South Coast's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.

Best timeDec–Apr

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Orcas · 229+ species recorded

Water27-30°C · warmest August, September, October

CharacterReef dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Middle Reef is one of those places you’ll want to revisit, especially if you’re staying on Antigua’s south coast. It’s got a bit of everything we look for in a good Caribbean reef dive: a healthy spread of stony corals, some decent relief, and a consistent cast of characters. We particularly love the shallower sections here, around 10 to 12 metres. That’s where you’ll find the blackcheek blennies popping their heads out of tiny holes, and the eyed flounders, masters of camouflage, waiting on sandy patches. Head a little deeper, and the fire coral starts to make its presence known – a good reminder to watch your buoyancy, though it adds a nice splash of orange and yellow to the landscape. Schools of snapper often hold steady against the gentle surge, and we’ve often spotted coney and greater soapfish hovering near coral heads. For the macro lovers, keep an eye out for the frecklefin gobies and pearl blennies; they’re small, but they’re there. The visibility here is usually pretty reliable, making it a relaxed dive that’s good for shaking off the rust or just enjoying a calm afternoon underwater.