West Coast dive sites
Mauritius · Browse dive locations by depth, type and conditions.
Best Season
December-May, October to April, December-April
Skill Levels
advanced, intermediate
Nearby Cities
Bridgetown, Flic en Flac, Rincon
All dive sites
Stavronikita Wreck
Bridgetown · West Coast · Barbados
A 111-metre Greek freighter deliberately sunk in 1978 as an artificial reef, now draped in coral growth and home to massive schools of fish and sea turtles.
Cathedral (Flic en Flac)
Flic en Flac · West Coast · Mauritius
A dramatic underwater cavern off Mauritius' west coast featuring a vast domed chamber with natural skylights that create ethereal shafts of light, surrounded by healthy reef walls teeming with tropical marine life.
Whale Rock
Flic en Flac · West Coast · Mauritius
A massive basalt pinnacle off Mauritius's west coast that attracts schooling fish, moray eels, and occasional passing pelagics in clear oceanic water beyond the lagoon reef.
Desecheo Island
Rincon · West Coast · Puerto Rico
An uninhabited island 19 kilometres off Puerto Rico's west coast, offering pristine reef and wall diving with exceptional visibility and vibrant coral gardens.
Diving in West Coast
West Coast offers wreck, cavern, pinnacle, reef dive sites across 3 locations. Browse dive locations by depth, type and conditions before planning your dive.
FAQ
How deep is the Stavronikita wreck in Barbados?
The Stavronikita sits upright on the sandy seabed at 42 metres, with the top of the superstructure at around 20 metres. Most recreational dives focus on the upper sections between 20 and 30 metres, while deeper exploration to the main deck at 36 metres and the seabed at 42 metres requires deep diving certification and experience with decompression planning.
Can you penetrate the Stavronikita wreck?
Limited penetration is possible in some areas of the wreck, particularly through the large cargo holds and the bridge section. However, the wreck has been underwater since 1978 and some structures are deteriorating, so penetration should only be attempted by properly trained wreck divers with appropriate equipment. Most divers explore the exterior, which is spectacular in itself.
What is the history of the Stavronikita in Barbados?
The Stavronikita was a 111-metre Greek freighter that caught fire in 1976 while carrying a cargo of cement. After being declared a total loss, it was towed to Barbados and deliberately sunk in 1978 to create an artificial reef off the west coast. Over the decades, it has become one of the Caribbean's most impressive wreck dives, with extensive coral colonisation transforming the steel hull into a thriving ecosystem.
Do I need cave diving certification for the Cathedral?
No, the Cathedral is a cavern rather than a true cave, meaning natural light is always visible from inside. The chamber has wide openings and multiple exit points, so there is no overhead environment in the technical sense. Advanced Open Water certification is recommended due to the depth of 25 to 30 metres and the need for good buoyancy control inside the chamber. The site is regularly dived by recreational divers with intermediate experience and does not require any specialised cave or cavern training.
What is the best time of day to dive the Cathedral?
The light effects inside the Cathedral are most dramatic between 10 AM and 1 PM when the sun is high enough to send concentrated beams through the natural skylights in the ceiling. Morning dives before 10 AM may not produce the full effect, and afternoon light becomes too diffuse. Dive operators typically schedule Cathedral visits during the midday window to maximise the visual spectacle. Cloud cover can reduce the light effects significantly.