South Side

Accessible when weather conditions allow, South Side is famous for its dramatic topography on its shallow sites which are fantastic for new divers and families as well as experienced divers who love macro life and amazing seascape. It is similar to the other sides of the island in that fingers of coral extend perpendicular to shore however these fingers are extraordinary in their height and proximity creating many grottos and caverns some inhabited by big silver Tarpon to play amongst. As you swim through the labyrinth many reef inhabitants thrive in the recesses between the brightly coloured coral buttresses. Keep your eyes open for lobsters, crabs, shrimp and eels in the nooks along the way. Superb healthy sponge and hard and soft coral life create a lovely backdrop for the abundant fish life along the tops of the reef.

Deep South sites are appropriate for advanced divers as the wall top is in approximately 70 feet of water. Expect a dramatic drop with large outcroppings covered in life. The wall sites have deep archways and pinnacles for spectacular scenery as you make your way along the edge of the ravine neighbour to one of the deepest undersea trenches on the planet! Keep your eyes open for resident eagle rays and sharks as your escorts through the deep blue. Ocean triggers abound along the wall top among many other reef fish species. Turtles, lobsters and eagle rays are a common sight along the deep wall.

South Side Dive Sites

Kent’s Caves – Shallow 30
A warren of grottos and swim-throughs this site is a colourful divers playground full of animal life!

Ron’s Wall – Deep 70
An advanced profile this wall is sheer and lovely with a colourful array of sponges and soft corals.

Pallas Pinnacles – Deep 75 – 80
Three moorings access these pinnacles which jut out from the precipitous deep wall! Dramatic buttresses and formations are covered in healthy corals.

Pallas Reef – Shallow 20
The Wreck of the Pallas can be viewed from the surface where she ran afoul of the barrier reef of South Sound. Dramatic coral fingers extend seaward home to rich soft coral and fish life.

Dede’s Garden – Shallow 35
A coral garden swaying softly in the surge atop shallow ravines home to crustaceans and eels.

Gary’s Reef – Shallow 33
An impressive backdrop of over-height coral fingers, this site is teeming with fish and vibrant with colour. Great for training dives as well as the underwater photo buff!

Pirates Cove – Shallow 34
We all know that pirates used to ply these waters in search of plunder! Pirates Cove looks like a likely hiding spot for underwater treasure among the lively and colourful arroyos.

Crossroads – Deep 65
This deep dive boasts brain corals, plate corals, gorgonians and colourful sponges.

Ollen’s Office – Deep 68
An interesting place for an office to say the least! Striking outcroppings set the stage for the sheer drop-off. Lots of Ocean Triggerfish here.

Eye of the Needle – Deep 75
A deep window like swim-through is your entrance to the deep portion of this wall. Suited to advanced divers with good buoyancy skills this dramatic site is well worth the trip!

       

Phantom Ledge – Deep 75
A ledge above a very deep precipice hosts a variety of multi-coloured fish life and sponges.

Gary’s Wall - Deep 82
Appropriate for advanced divers this deep wall profile hovers above some of the deepest water on the planet!! Keep your eyes peeled for Eagle Rays!

No Name Wall – Deep 64
The naming of this site clearly left everyone speechless! A sheer drop into the deep blue will have you feel as though you are flying!

Red Bay Caves – Shallow 26
Several small caverns support a wide variety of reef fish. Tarpon hide amongst the shadows!

Laura’s Reef – Shallow 32
Abundant on the South shallow sites tall coral structures provide a winding maze to play in. Extraordinary life and fabulous for photography!

Bullwinkle – Shallow 25
A staff favourite with grottos, caverns and swim-throughs galore! Great soft coral among staghorn and Elkhorn corals. Spectacular!

Ned’s Tunnels – Shallow 30
Dramatic tall coral fingers create a labyrinth of life to enjoy. Look for spotted and spiny lobsters in the recesses.

Dangerous Dan’s Dropoff – Deep 85
Impressive topography and colour abound on this deep wall profile.

Barracuda Ron’s Pass – Deep 84
Watch for barracuda hovering silently between coral fingers or perhaps taking up a short stay beneath your dive boat! Stunning deep profile for advanced divers.

Japanese Gardens – Shallow 25
Definitely a favourite and aptly named! A dazzling array of soft corals, swim-throughs and abundant reef fish make this site a much-loved location. Nice and shallow for new divers with so much to see advanced divers will love it too!

Spotts Reef – Shallow 17
A maze of coral structures is home to plentiful schools of vibrant fish. Look for eels and turtles amongst the impressive underwater scenery.