Snorkeling Park - Cousteau Reserve

Snorkeling Park, despite its name, is a genuine standout for divers in Cousteau Reserve. We love dropping in here, especially when the sun is high and those rays cut through the water, illuminating the shallow coral heads. You're immediately surrounded by schools of dark green parrotfish, diligently grazing, and we always spot a few cowfish, looking rather bewildered, drifting slowly past. The finger coral formations are impressive, reaching up like bony hands, and if you take your time, you'll find tiny white pygmy venus shells tucked into crevices. Keep an eye out for the slate-pencil urchins too – their thick spines are unmistakable. This spot really shines for macro enthusiasts and photographers who appreciate a slower pace. There's an easy drift here on most days, making it a relaxed dive where you can truly absorb the details. We'd suggest going early in the morning to beat any surface traffic, giving you a quiet hour to explore without distraction.

Location
Cousteau Reserve, Guadeloupe, Caribbean
Coordinates
16.199690, -61.492382
Difficulty
beginner

Marine Protected Area: Ilet Gosier

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 Snorkeling Park

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 Snorkeling Park

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