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Aerial view of a turquoise bay with patches of shallow reef, ringed by green forest and a coastal road lined with houses — Port Antonio

Port Antonio · Jamaica · Artificial reef · Wall

Cactus Drop

Claudia Comte's cactus sculptures leading to a drop-off

Area photo: Layneartz19 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Cactus Drop is a dive in the East Portland Fish Sanctuary built around underwater cactus sculptures by the artist Claudia Comte. The sculptures lead divers toward a colourful drop-off, so the site combines an art installation with a natural wall.

Also known as Cacti Series.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Cactus Drop: typical dive 10–30 m (33–100 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit10 m30 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

No published position for this site — the map shows Port Antonio and its other sites; operators know the mooring.

The dive

Three cactus sculptures lead toward the drop-off, and gobies live on the artworks. The dive ranges from about 10 m (35 ft) to 30 m (100 ft). Overhangs along the wall shelter lobsters and channel clinging crabs, and Bermuda chubs gather near its face.

Marine life and season

  • Macro critters
Month-by-month season rating for Cactus Drop
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FairGoodGoodGoodFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFair

Season follows Port Antonio: February to April is the drier stretch in Port Antonio, though no month is truly dry and rain tops 60 mm (2.4 in) in all 12.

Sources

  1. Dive sites – Lady G'Diver Boutique Dive Centre — Lady G'Diver Boutique Dive Centre
  2. Claudia Comte underwater sculpture (Artnet News) — Artnet News

More dive sites in Port Antonio

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Alligator Long

A narrow coral ridge lined with azure vase sponges and sea fans

24–27 m · max 30 madvanced

Wall

Dragon Wall

Black coral and gorgonians on two separate wall sections

21–30 madvanced

Pinnacle

Fairy Hill

A coral pinnacle that changes shape with every level circled

15–37 madvanced

Wreck

HMJS Paul Bogle

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to 18 mbeginner

Wall

The Crack

Shafts of light and a massive barrel sponge inside a rock crack

15–24 mintermediate

Reef

Turtle Town

Green and hawksbill turtles over seagrass by the Blue Lagoon

12–24 mintermediate

Similar dives elsewhere

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Wreck

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