Snorkel· Barbuda· Leeward Islands
Palaster Reef Marine Park
17° 32.2′ N · 61° 44.7′ W · approximate
The protected offshore reef lying between Coco Point and Spanish Point that shelters Gravenor Bay. Its coral is robust, visibility is often good enough to see much of the reef from the surface, and old wrecks lie on it.
Practical
Coordinate approx: Palaster Reef lies off Gravenor Bay, east of Coco Point and west of Doyle's Spanish Point entry waypoint (LBAU02, N17 32.1 W061 43.5), as the Marine Guide's directions describe. This point is derived from those directions, not surveyed, so read the reef by eye and chart. It is a national park reef: fishing with speargun or rod is not permitted (Noonsite). Snorkel by dinghy from Gravenor Bay or Spanish Point in calm conditions. Do not anchor on the reef; use sand patches. Navigation: you can pass inshore of Palaster Reef between it and the mainland in good light, or windward of it to approach Spanish Point. Wrecks: historic wrecks lie on the reef but none is publicly named. All are protected under the Marine Areas Act, so look and do not touch. The nearest named wreck is the Santiago de Cullerin (1695) off Spanish Point.
Best for
Clear-water reef snorkelling inside a no-fishing park
Season
Calm days with high sun