Immersione & snorkeling
La frangia di scogliere coralline e di banchine che circondano Anguilla e le acque turchesi e trasparenti della nostra isola la rendono la principale destinazione dei Caraibi per lo snorkeling e l’immersione.
Tutte le spiagge della nostra isola hanno accesso alle formazioni di scogliere e di rocce dove si possono vedere pesci dai colori molto vivaci. Tra i luoghi di snorkeling più decantati ci sono Crocus Bay, Shoal Bay East, Junk’s Hole e Sandy Island.
Le acque più profonde di Anguilla sono ricche di bellezza e storia. I sette parchi marini della nostra isola - Dog Island, Prickley Pear, Seal Island Reef System, Little Bay, Sandy Island, Shoal Bay Harbour Reef System e Stoney Bay Marine Park - posseggono qualunque cosa, dai muri di calcare vivo alle navi naufragate vecchie di secoli.
Molti amanti dello snorkeling preferiscono portare le proprie pinne e le proprie maschere, ma se fosse necessario, è possibile acquistare o affittare l’equipaggiamento. Le maschere e le pinne sono sempre disponibili gratuitamente nella maggior parte degli hotel, nei negozi di immersione, sulla maggior parte dei charter, su alcune spiagge dotate di servizi di spiaggia o ristoranti sul mare.
“Sulla piccola, corallina Anguilla sono lucide persino le spiagge … Al largo, uno scoglio di calcare attrae piccoli pesci tropicali e i principianti dello snorkeling”. - New York Times
Dive Sites
Anguillita
Next to this tiny island off the west end of Anguilla are three mini-walls with ledges and small caves. See hard coral, southern stingrays, spotted moray eels, spiny lobsters, turtles and eagle rays.
Novice – experienced. Depth of 15–60 feet.
Authors Deep
Black corals, smaller fish and profuse coral growth.
Experienced divers. Depths to 110 feet and deeper.
Crystal Reef
Giant Elkhorn coral can be found in the shallows. Both hard and soft coral and lots of marine life including trumpet fish, angelfish and arrow crabs are plentiful in the deeper waters.
Novice – experienced. Depth of 15–75 feet.
Dog Island
Dog Island is home to two sites: West Cay and Devil’s Wall. Weather permitting; this is a drift dive along a spectacular rock face with lots of marine life.
Experienced. Depth to 90 feet.
Frenchman's Reef
Schools of fish inhabit this cliff edge, boulder-strewn site. Good for photography.
Novice. Depth of 15–40 feet.
Grouper Bowl
Grouper’s Bowl is part of the Sail Reef System and home to Anguilla’s hard coral formations. Groupers can be found in the overhangs and caverns.
Depth of 25–50 feet.
Little Bay
A calm and sheltered site, Little Bay is ideal for night dives. There is excellent macrophoto potential and this site is a natural nursery for fish.
Novice. Depth of 15–30 feet.
Paintcan Reef
Several acres of lush coral growth, occasional large marine life and spectacular visibility.
Depth of 80 feet.
Prickley Pear
This underwater canyon is characterized by its ledges and caverns and is home to nurse sharks.
Depth to 70 feet.
Sand Canyon
A windy canyon with walls within 25 feet of the surface, this deep site is home to lobsters and rockfish.
Depth to 90 feet.
Sandy Deep
A mini-wall dive with an abrupt drop from 15 to 60 feet. Abundant fish and lobsters are occasionally encountered; lots of coral and sea fans.
Novice - experienced.
Sandy Island
This site is noted for its abundance of soft coral and sea fans. Novice - experienced. Depth to 30–70 feet.
Stoney Ground Marine Park
Stoney Ground Marine Park is Anguilla’s first underwater heritage site. Public dive tours of the site are available on a limited basis through Shoal Bay Scuba and Watersports. Tours are fully guided and begin with a video and presentation on the site’s history. The underwater collection includes a display of 10-foot canons, anchors, bronze devotional medals and other historically significant artifacts.
The Steps at Little Scrub
A ledge dive takes you between and under huge boulders to a dramatic five-foot arch. Angelfish, blue tang, nurse shark, trumpet fish, great barracuda, yellow tail snapper, rays, tiger grouper and jewfish are among the marine life that can be seen. Great for photography and underwater video.
Experienced. Depth of 20–90 feet.
Wreck of the M.V. "Commerce"
One of nine wrecks sunk intentionally to create an artificial reef; this vessel sits upright on a gentle slope. Abundant fish life can be seen here. Swim through the ship if the current is not too strong. Great for underwater photography.
Depth of 40-80 feet.
Wreck of the M.V. "Ida Maria"
After Hurricane Klaus, this 120 foot long vessel was still afloat, but eventually was dragged down on her anchor chains. This wreck site is encrusted with hard and soft corals. Fish life is abundant.
Novice - experienced. Depth to 60 feet.
Wreck of the M.V. "Oosterdiep" and Oosterdiep Reef
Deliberately sunk upright, this 158 foot wreck is situated close to an excellent soft coral reef dive. Stingrays, turtles, lobsters, moray eels, barracudas, bar jacks and yellow tail snappers are commonly sighted. Reef sharks and spotted eagle rays also frequent the site.
Novice - experienced. Depth to 80 feet.
Wreck of the M.V. "Sarah"
Deliberately sunk in 1990 just off of Prickley Pear, this 230 feet long cargo freighter sits in an upright position. The top of the hull starts at 30 feet. Barracuda, southern stingray, yellowtail snapper, angelfish and trunkfish can be seen. It is an underwater paradise for photographers.
Novice - experienced. Depth to 80 feet.
Snorkeling Sites
Nearly all of Anguilla’s beaches provide unique opportunities to view the underwater world. Some of the best spots include:
Barnes Bay
Barnes Bay is one of the best beaches to explore the underwater world of Anguilla. Immediately off the beach is a long reef that can be followed out to deeper waters full of awe-inspiring fish. On the western side of the bay, there is a small cove and a number of coral formations that are home to an awe-inspiring collection of brightly colored fish.
Crocus Bay
Swim to the cliff side of the bay and prepared to be amazed at the array of multi-colored corals and fish. Swim out as far as you can to see breathtakingly beautiful formations and the fish that inhabit them. Little Bay, located around the cliff also offers incredible snorkeling opportunities. Charters are available.
Junks Hole Bay
Head east from Sandy Hill in the direction of Island Harbor. As you climb up the hill continue to follow signs toward Palm Grove Restaurant. Park the car and swim directly out into the open water. There you’ll enjoy a continuum of coral ridges that are home to an incredible array of tropical fish.
Little Bay
In the wonderfully warm and calm waters lapping against the cliffs of Little Bay is where you’ll find a breathtaking collection of colorful fish and coral.
Prickly Pear
Prickly Pear is perfect for more experienced swimmers and snorkelers. It is home to a deep canyon and is a favorite for scuba divers. It also offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling.
Sandy Hill Bay
The eastern side of the bay is home to a bounty of tropical fish and coral formations. Small corals can be viewed in the sandy ground immediately off the shore. More than 40 feet out is when it really gets interesting. This area is teeming with turtles, tropical fish and colorful corals.
Sandy Island
Accessible only by boat, Sandy Island is famous for snorkeling and scuba diving. Perfect for day trips.
Savannah Bay
There is superb snorkeling to be found on both sides of Savannah Bay. Come prepared with equipment, as there are no opportunities to rent on the beach.
Sea Feather Bay
Sea Feather Bay is a favorite for Anguillians and visitors alike. Its rewarding reefs are just steps from its shore. Great for beginners.
Shoal Bay East
Shoal Bay is one of Anguilla’s most popular beaches, and for good reason. Its warm, crystal clear waters are home to a large variety of vibrant corals and colorful fish. The best spots for viewing this wonderful underwater world are on the left side of the bay.
Outfitters
Anguilla's dive shops are manned and operated by seasoned professionals who pride themselves on doing what they love every day: introducing divers ranking from novice to experienced to Anguilla's fascinating dive sites.
Anguillian Divers
Anguillian Divers offers P.A.D.I. certification instruction in multiple languages, equipment rentals and regular dive charters around the island and surrounding cays.
Meads Bay
1 (264) 497-4750
1 (264) 235-7742
1 (264) 497-6026
http://www.anguilliandivers.com
Shoal Bay Scuba & Watersports Ltd.
Shoal Bay Scuba & Watersports is an International P.A.D.I. resort facility located directly on Shoal Bay Beach.
Shoal Bay East
1 (264) 497-4371
1 (264) 235-1482
http://www.shoalbayscuba.com
Special D. Diving and Charters
Special D. Diving and Charters (Douglas Carty) is situated in Sandy Ground offering daily scheduled dives, private dive charters, and certification courses, with over 18 years diving experience in Anguilla. Dive packages also available. Open seven days a week.
1 (264) 235-8438