Le Sec Pâté - Cousteau Reserve

Le Sec Pâté is one of those places that genuinely surprises you. It's a series of three pinnacles, rising from about 60 metres to within a comfortable 15 metres of the surface. We love the drift here; the current often carries you smoothly from one peak to the next, giving you time to really take it all in. Look closely on the ledges and you'll spot plenty of little stuff, the yellowhead wrasse and dusky cardinalfish are always around, but our favourite is watching the sawcheek cardinalfish flit amongst the corals. The main draw, though, is the open water. We often find ourselves just hanging, watching the bigger fish cruise by – the mutton snapper are particularly bold here. Don't be surprised if you feel a slight tug from the current, it's usually what brings in the action, but it means this spot is better suited for those comfortable with a bit of movement. For a truly peaceful dive, we'd suggest heading down early before the boats get too busy.

Location
Cousteau Reserve, Guadeloupe, Caribbean
Coordinates
15.901017, -61.655510
Type
pinnacle

Marine Protected Area: Pointe De Miquelon Gros Cap

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 Le Sec Pâté

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 Le Sec Pâté

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