Crazy coral - Cousteau Reserve

The HMAS Swan is our pick for a superb wreck dive in Western Australia. We love how accessible it is, sitting upright in Geographe Bay, with its bow at around five metres and stern dropping to 26. You can really get a sense of its scale as you descend, watching the mast structures emerge from the blue. The ship was scuttled in 1997, and the growth on it now is thick and colourful – soft corals have completely draped some sections. Keep an eye out for southern blue-ringed octopus tucked into crevices, their iridescent warnings flashing if you get too close. Crested weedfish often blend perfectly with the encrusting growth, requiring a keen eye to spot them. Our favourite part is exploring the intact bridge and engine room, where schools of silver fish shimmer through the doorways. Visibility averages 14 metres, which is usually plenty to appreciate the wreck's impressive outline and the surprising amount of life it now supports. It’s a site that rewards multiple dives; you’ll always find something new.

Location
Cousteau Reserve, Guadeloupe, Caribbean
Coordinates
16.252700, -61.266000
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Couronne Conchou - Anse Salmon

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 Crazy coral

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 Crazy coral

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