West Side Scuba Centre - South Coast
The team at West Side Scuba Centre are the kind of people you want to spend a week diving with. They run a tight ship from their South Coast base, focusing heavily on PADI courses and guided dives that really make you feel like you’re exploring with friends. If you’re looking to get certified, improve your skills, or simply dive some solid Barbadian sites without fuss, this is our pick. We’ve always found their approach to guiding relaxed but super professional. They know the wrecks and reefs here like the back of their hand. Expect to spend time on some of our favourites, like the **Berwyn**, an old cargo ship broken into three pieces, or the nearby **Carlisle Bay Marine Park**, where the resident turtles seem to pose for every camera. We love a morning dive here, the light is just right and the barracuda often hang motionless, watching you drift past. For those looking for something a bit different, ask them about the drift dives further out; the current can be exhilarating, pushing you past schools of jacks and the occasional passing eagle ray. They’re excellent at gauging group skill levels and picking sites that everyone will enjoy, which makes for consistently good diving.
- Location
- South Coast, Barbados, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 13.093372, -59.612480
- Phone
- +1 246-262-1029
- [email protected]
- Website
- https://divewestsidescuba.com/
- Certification Agencies
- ["PADI"]
- Courses
- PADI 5 Star Dive Resort [padi:19279]
- Address
- Boatyard Complex, Bay Street, St. Michael, No State, Barbados
Dive Sites Near West Side Scuba Centre
West Side Scuba Centre provides access to 10 dive sites in South Coast.
- Bow Bells Reef (reef)
- CARINTILLES - 3m (wreck)
- Carlisle Bay - 3-20m (wreck)
- Cobblers Reef (reef)
- Freights Bay (reef)
- FRIARS CRAIG - 14m (wreck)
- Friars Craig Wreck - 8-18m (wreck)
- JOHN R PENROSE - 3m (wreck)
- mv Brianna H - IMO6511908 - 24m (wreck)
- MV Trident - 18m (wreck)
Other Dive Centres in South Coast
- G Fish Watersports Barbados - ["PADI"]
Best Time to Dive in South Coast
The warmest water temperatures in South Coast occur in January, averaging 28.0°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.0°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.0°C (air: 26.1°C)
- February: 28.0°C (air: 26.1°C)
- March: 28.0°C (air: 26.4°C)
- April: 28.0°C (air: 27.0°C)
- May: 28.0°C (air: 27.7°C)
- June: 28.0°C (air: 27.8°C)
- July: 28.0°C (air: 27.6°C)
- August: 28.0°C (air: 27.8°C)
- September: 28.0°C (air: 28.1°C)
- October: 28.0°C (air: 27.9°C)
- November: 28.0°C (air: 27.2°C)
- December: 28.0°C (air: 26.6°C)
Marine Life in South Coast
Home to 382 recorded species including 336 reef fish, 23 hard corals, 7 other, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 octopus & squid, 2 whales & dolphins.
Notable Marine Life
- Slippery Dick (Halichoeres bivittatus) - Reef Fish
- Dusky Damselfish (Stegastes adustus) - Reef Fish
- Devilfish (Ophioblennius atlanticus) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Horse-eye Jack (Caranx latus) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
- Greater Soapfish (Rypticus saponaceus) - Reef Fish
- French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
- Hamlet (Gymnothorax moringa) - Reef Fish
- Molly Miller (Labrisomus nuchipinnis) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for South Coast
Based on average water temperature of 28.0°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°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