Aquarium - Cousteau Reserve

The Aquarium, perched on the northern edge of Pigeon Island, often gets overlooked for its deeper, flashier neighbours. Big mistake. This shallow coral garden, maxing out at a gentle 12 metres, is a personal favourite for a reason. It truly lives up to its name, a kaleidoscope of motion that feels like swimming inside a giant fish tank. We love dropping in here for a relaxed second dive, or for introducing new divers to the magic of the Reserve. The light is incredible, especially mid-morning, filtering through the water and illuminating every crevice. You’ll weave through small coral heads, spotting juvenile snapper darting for cover and schools of fusiliers swirling so thick they almost block your view. Keep an eye out for King Mullet sifting through the sand, their barbels twitching, and we’ve even seen a rather relaxed reef bass tucked into a coral overhang more than once. The calm conditions mean you can truly linger, watching the intricate dance of the reef unfold. It’s pure, unadulterated underwater chill.

Location
Cousteau Reserve, Guadeloupe, Caribbean
Coordinates
16.168000, -61.790000
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
3-12m
Difficulty
Beginner

Marine Protected Area: Anse A La Barque

Best Time to Dive in Cousteau Reserve

The warmest water temperatures in Cousteau Reserve occur in January, averaging 27.5°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.5°C (air: 24.9°C)
  • February: 27.5°C (air: 24.8°C)
  • March: 27.5°C (air: 25.2°C)
  • April: 27.5°C (air: 26.2°C)
  • May: 27.5°C (air: 27.4°C)
  • June: 27.5°C (air: 27.8°C)
  • July: 27.5°C (air: 27.6°C)
  • August: 27.5°C (air: 27.9°C)
  • September: 27.5°C (air: 27.9°C)
  • October: 27.5°C (air: 27.4°C)
  • November: 27.5°C (air: 26.5°C)
  • December: 27.5°C (air: 25.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cousteau Reserve

Nearest Dive Centres to Aquarium

Marine Life in Cousteau Reserve

Home to 345 recorded species including 259 reef fish, 27 hard corals, 16 whales & dolphins, 12 other, 6 seagrass & algae, 5 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Aquarium

Based on average water temperature of 27.5°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