Sec Pâté - Cousteau Reserve

Sec Pâté is probably our favourite spot in the whole Cousteau Reserve, and we're not alone. It’s a submerged pinnacle, a big ol' lump of rock rising from the deep, capped around 15 metres and topping out maybe 8-10 metres below the surface depending on the tide. The deeper parts of the pinnacle are where the real drama unfolds. We’ve drifted along the edges, watching schools of mutton snapper cruise by, big silver torpedoes, while dusky and yellowhead jawfish hover in their sandy patches. Look closely, and you might spot a molly miller darting into a crevice, or a goldspot goby sharing a burrow. This isn’t a gentle drift, mind you. The current here can rip, proper washing machine stuff sometimes, which means it’s not one for the freshly certified. But that current is exactly what brings in the nutrients and, consequently, the fish. We usually try for an early morning dive, before the day boats crowd the buoy lines. Keep an eye out for black coral fans at depth, they're surprisingly robust given the exposure. It’s a true Caribbean classic, a dive that feels wild and full of possibility, even with other boats around.

Location
Cousteau Reserve, Guadeloupe, Caribbean
Coordinates
15.919820, -61.649376
Type
pinnacle

Marine Protected Area: Les Trois Pointes

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 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 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