Cousteau Reserve, Guadeloupe
    Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin de la Guadeloupe

    Aplysina

    Best months: Jan–Dec

    Protected Area

    Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin de la Guadeloupe

    Why dive here

    With 331+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and manta rays - Aplysina offers some of Cousteau Reserve's richest reef diving. Water sits around 28°C.

    Marine lifeBarracuda, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Manta Rays · 331+ species recorded
    Water28°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Aplysina. Even the name whispers “sponges,” and trust us, it delivers. We love how this site, shallow as it is at just 11 metres, just feels… *soft*. It’s not about dramatic drop-offs or roaring currents here. It’s a gentle wander through fields of those fantastic rope sponges, golden and purple, some as thick as your arm, others twisting upwards like corkscrews. You’ll also spot plenty of barrel sponges and pipe sponges, creating a maze of nooks and crannies. The light filters through the water beautifully, dappling the sand and making the sponges glow. We’ve found cowfish peeking out from behind a particularly chunky barrel sponge, and those red cushion sea stars just pop against the muted corals. Keep an eye out for brittle stars too, their tiny arms waving from every crevice; there are so many varieties here. This is a perfect site for photographers, especially macro fans, or anyone who enjoys a relaxed, detailed exploration. It’s also our pick for a really pleasant second dive, or for those days when you just want to take it slow and soak it all in.

    Today05:5318:2612h 34m daylightGolden hour 17:57

    Nearest Dive Centres to Aplysina

    Dive shops near Aplysina

    View all dive centres in Cousteau Reserve

    Reviews for Aplysina

    Sign in to write a review

    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Aplysina

    Aplysina Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Aplysina, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (16.17, -61.79) (0km away)

    August Averages

    Sea Temperature

    27.5°C

    82°F

    Air Temperature

    27.92°C

    82°F

    Wind Speed

    3.92 m/s

    7.6 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1014.9 hPa

    Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC

    Book a dive trip in Cousteau Reserve

    Guided dives, courses & snorkel tours - instant booking

    Search trips

    Where to Stay near Aplysina

    Prices from Booking.com. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Back to Cousteau Reserve