pinnacle

Log This Dive

Sec Pâté

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.