Culebra · Puerto Rico · Pinnacle · Reef
Cayo Agua Rock
A lone cube-shaped rock rising from sand, visited by nurse sharks
Area photo: https://www.flickr.com/people/dejeuxx/ · CC BY 2.0
Cayo Agua Rock is a single large, cube-shaped rock surrounded by sand off Culebra. It rises from about 18 m (60 ft) at the sand to about 9 m (30 ft) at its top, with coral and sponge growth all over and plenty of fish, and it is known to draw barracudas, nurse sharks and sea turtles.
Also known as Cayo del Agua.
Where it is and how deep
18.3113° N, 65.3475° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The site is a single large rock, cube-shaped and surrounded by sand. Its top sits at about 9 m (30 ft) and its base meets the sand at around 18 m (60 ft), so the dive circles the rock between those two depths. Currents can be mild to strong here, and they set how the dive is run on the day.
Coral and sponge growth covers the rock, and fish gather all around it. Barracudas, nurse sharks and sea turtles are known to visit the rock, so the open sand around its base is worth watching as well as the walls of the rock itself.
Marine life and season
- Barracuda
- Sea turtles
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good |
Season follows Culebra: Dec–Mar is the high season, when dive trips should be booked from July; May–Oct is slower, needing about 2 weeks' notice. The sea averages 27–29 °C all year.
Know before you go
- Currents run from mild to strong; on a strong-current day the rock is an advanced dive, so stay close to the rock and follow the guide's plan.
Questions divers ask
How deep is Cayo Agua Rock?+
The rock's top is at about 9 m (30 ft) and its base meets the sand at around 18 m (60 ft).
What marine life is seen at Cayo Agua Rock?+
The rock is covered in coral and sponges with plenty of fish, and it is known to draw barracudas, nurse sharks and sea turtles.
Sources
- Cayo del Agua dive site — Scubago
- Culebra's Beaches: Diving, Snorkeling, and Kayaking — Moon Travel Guides
- Scuba Diving - Culebra Divers — Culebra Divers
More dive sites in Culebra
Wall
A shore-parallel wall of huge sea fans topping out at 4 m
Wall
Culebra's deep exception: a coral wall to 37 m (120 ft)
Artificial reef
The remains of a scuttled tour boat in 6 m (20 ft) of water
Similar dives elsewhere
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A pinnacle at the harbour mouth, five minutes by boat from Gustavia
Agatha, Bertha and Cleo, and the third one leans
A coral pinnacle that changes shape with every level circled