Black Reef - Newfoundland

Cabezos Vibora gives us a good sense of the Keys’ reef structure, a mix of coral heads and sandy patches. We’ve found bluestriped grunts often school up here, and you’ll likely spot porkfish sifting through the sand. Keep an eye out for larger snappers, sometimes a mutton or black snapper, hanging around the reef edges. The corals themselves are varied, with ridged cactus coral and grooved brain coral standing out. It’s a solid dive for anyone looking for a relaxed exploration without strong currents, and a decent spot for newer divers to get comfortable.

Location
Newfoundland, Canada, North America
Coordinates
49.133180, -53.481350
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Deadman's Bay Provincial Park

Best Time to Dive in Newfoundland

The warmest water temperatures in Newfoundland occur in August, averaging 15.9°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 0.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 2.3°C
  • February: 1.1°C
  • March: 0.3°C
  • April: 1.3°C
  • May: 3.9°C
  • June: 7.3°C
  • July: 12.4°C
  • August: 15.9°C
  • September: 14.6°C
  • October: 11.9°C
  • November: 8.0°C
  • December: 4.6°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Newfoundland

Nearest Dive Centres to Black Reef

Marine Life in Newfoundland

Home to 72 recorded species including 35 reef fish, 13 whales & dolphins, 7 sharks & rays, 5 seagrass & algae, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 soft corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Black Reef

Based on average water temperature of 7.0°C, currents 2 cm/s.

  • Drysuit - water at 7°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • 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