Official Basse-Terre conditions showing a sheltered leeward coast and year-round diving.
Easy Deshaies reef with coral patches, turtles, and beginner-friendly diving.
Easy Deshaies reef with coral patches, turtles, and beginner-friendly diving.
Boat access and local guide support are the practical way to dive this site.
Located a few minutes from the harbor near Deshaies and facing Bosco beach, Paul Thomas is a sheltered coral reef with several patches and coral bands to follow along the site. It is a relaxed beginner dive with frequent marine-life encounters, including green turtles, angelfish, porcupinefish, and rich macro life. The layout is simple, the water is usually calm, and the site works well for easy guided reef exploration.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
10m - 18m
Depth Note
Reported as a shallow-to-moderate reef with coral bands and a maximum depth of 18 m.
Best Season
Year-round, with calmer weather windows making the site especially pleasant.
Typical Conditions
Sheltered leeward-coast reef with calm water, coral patches, and frequent marine-life encounters.
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Safety Notes
Keep buoyancy controlled around coral bands and stay aware of boat approaches.
Access Restrictions
Boat access from Deshaies; local guide support is recommended.
Legal Notes
No special permit is documented here, but the site should be dived within beginner limits and local operator briefings.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Beginner-friendly reef dive with a reported maximum depth of 18 m.
Freediving
The shallow coral bands can suit controlled breath-hold exploration, but the site is primarily a beginner scuba reef.
Snorkeling
The shallow coral bands and calm water make snorkeling plausible in good weather.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Official Basse-Terre conditions showing a sheltered leeward coast and year-round diving.
Independent Deshaies article covering Paul Thomas / Anse Thomas, visibility, and turtles.
Deshaies site page with coral bands, rock masses, and marine life context.
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