POINTE BATTERIE - Cousteau Reserve

Shark Rock feels like diving a giant's marble collection. South-east of Praslin, it's a 30 to 40-minute boat ride, depending on how choppy the ocean feels that day. The site itself is a jumble of massive granite boulders, stacked and scattered, creating tunnels and swim-throughs you can spend an entire dive exploring. We've often found ourselves in a silent procession through a narrow gap, a soft light filtering down from above, before popping out into a sun-drenched amphitheater. What we love here are the encrusting corals and sponges that paint every surface of those boulders. They are vibrant, a real contrast to the grey rock. Look closely, and you'll spot the little residents: tiny Slender Groupers tucked into crevices, Palespot Eviotas darting about. We’ve had great luck finding Hawksbill Turtles munching on sponges, seemingly oblivious to us. The schools of yellowfin soldierfish here are dense, creating shimmering walls of silver and gold that swirl and part as you approach. Keep an eye out for the Giant Trevallies, they often cruise the edges of the rock formations, looking for an easy meal. This site is a great choice for divers who enjoy intricate topography and macro life, though the occasional white-tip reef shark does cruise through, adding a bit of pelagic excitement.

Location
Cousteau Reserve, Guadeloupe, Caribbean
Coordinates
16.304400, -61.802100
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Gros Morne - Grande Anse

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 BATTERIE

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 BATTERIE

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