Paynes Bay Reef
Conditions & tides
Scored by DiveConnect's site-physics model
Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.
Dived here today? How were conditions vs. what we showed?
About this site
Paynes Bay Reef is a fringing reef on the west coast of Barbados, close to shore and easy to reach by snorkelling or diving. Depths run from 3 to 8 metres, which keeps the site shallow and gentle.
The reef is described as a set of gentle coral gardens with colourful fish and soft corals. Along this coast the reefs are known for clear visibility and calm conditions, and Paynes Bay Reef fits that pattern, making it an easy place to spend an unhurried dive over healthy coral.
Marine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
Horse-eye JackCaranx latusReported here · unconfirmed
French GruntHaemulon flavolineatumReported here · unconfirmed
Slippery DickHalichoeres bivittatusReported here · unconfirmed
Caribbean Bluehead WrasseThalassoma bifasciatumReported here · unconfirmed
Banded ButterflyfishChaetodon striatusReported here · unconfirmed
ParrotfishParrotfishReported here · unconfirmed
AngelfishAngelfishReported here · unconfirmed
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
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