La Piscine - Cousteau Reserve

La Piscine, or "The Pool" if your French is rusty, is a site we’ve always enjoyed for its unique feel. It’s not about massive pelagics here, though you might get a surprise. What we love is the way the light plays through the water, particularly on a sunny afternoon. You drop into this natural amphitheatre, surrounded by sponges and corals, and the surface above often shimmers, almost like looking up through mercury. It’s an easy dive, perfect for knocking the rust off or for newer divers. We often see huge schools of Bicolor Damselfish swarming over the reef, and Orangespotted Filefish are pretty common, just drifting along. Keep an eye on the sand patches for Spotted Goatfish sifting away, leaving little puffs as they go. It’s a gentle, calming dive, ideal for photographers wanting to capture that quintessential Caribbean light. We’d suggest going in the early afternoon for the best illumination. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a Flat Needlefish just below the surface, looking like a tiny, living arrow.

Location
Cousteau Reserve, Guadeloupe, Caribbean
Coordinates
16.167150, -61.789640

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 La Piscine

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 La Piscine

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