Pointe Barque - Cousteau Reserve

Pointe Barque is our pick for a proper wall dive in Cousteau Reserve. Drop down to the plateau around 18 metres, then just let the wall unfold beneath you. It’s an advanced dive, for sure, with depths easily pushing 30-40m, but that’s where the black coral starts to really flourish. We often see huge barrel sponges clinging to the rock face, big enough to hide a diver in. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too. Orangespotted filefish often dart around the gorgonians, and it’s a good spot for spotted goatfish rooting in the sand pockets along the base. The current can be quite noticeable here, so good buoyancy and air management are key. We’d suggest going early in the morning before any boat traffic picks up, when the light really plays on the corals. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the drama of a deep wall rather than a gentle reef cruise. You’ll feel the chill as you go deeper, a reminder of the ocean's scale.

Location
Cousteau Reserve, Guadeloupe, Caribbean
Coordinates
16.165000, -61.795000
Type
wall
Maximum Depth
18-40m
Difficulty
Advanced

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 Pointe Barque

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 Pointe Barque

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