Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda · Caribbean
Antigua and Barbuda pairs 365 white-sand beaches with a rich underwater heritage of coral-encrusted colonial wrecks, dramatic sea caves, and a vibrant barrier reef sheltering nurse sharks and hawksbill turtles. Warm Caribbean waters averaging 27–29°C and excellent year-round visibility make these twin islands one of the Eastern Caribbean's most rewarding dive destinations.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
This reef has lost much of its live coral since 2017. The water is around its usual temperature for now.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
Warmer than usual right now, but not hot enough to bleach.
Fishing
Open to fishing, and the water is fairly quiet.
Sources · AGRRA and GCRMN reef surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
Coral cover over time
Live coral cover, by survey year
Across 3 survey years from 2017 to 2019, live coral cover here has fallen from 12% to 5%. Every point is a real survey reading, never a projection.
Live coral cover, percent by year
| Year | Coral cover |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 12% |
| 2018 | 9% |
| 2019 | 5% |
What you will see
16 species across the dive sites here
Lesser Antillean Bullfinch
Seen 1 month ago
at Pillars of Hercules
Least concern
Carib Grackle
Seen 2 months ago
at Pillars of Hercules
Least concern
Bananaquit
Seen 3 months ago
at Pillars of Hercules
Least concern
Cuban Brown Snail
Seen 4 months ago
at Cades Reef
French Angelfish
Seen 4 months ago
at Pillars of Hercules
Least concern
Spotted Eagle Ray
Seen 4 months ago
at MV Andes
Endangered
Watts' Anole
Seen 4 months ago
at Pillars of Hercules
Lettuce Sea Slug
Seen Jul 2025
at Sandy Island
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Seen Oct 2024
at Pillars of Hercules
Critically endangered
Green Moray Eel
Seen Jan 2024
at MV Andes
Least concern
Nurse Shark
Seen Jan 2024
at Cades Reef
Vulnerable
Queen Parrotfish
Seen Jan 2024
at Cades Reef
Least concern
Spotted Moray Eel
Seen Jan 2024
at Pillars of Hercules
Least concern
Elkhorn Coral
Seen year round
at Cades Reef
Critically endangered
Orange Cup Coral
Seen year round
at MV Andes
Queen Triggerfish
Seen year round
at Sandy Island
Near threatened
Dive sites
Pillars of Hercules
hawksbill sea turtle · spotted moray eel · french angelfish · lesser antillean bullfinch
Cades Reef
nurse shark · queen parrotfish · elkhorn coral · lesser antillean bullfinch
MV Andes
spotted eagle ray · green moray eel · orange cup coral · lesser antillean bullfinch
Sandy Island
hawksbill sea turtle · queen triggerfish · lettuce sea slug · lesser antillean bullfinch