Playa Piscardo

Situated at the far northwest end of the island in the town of Westpunt, this site is worth checking out just for the scenic drive through the undeveloped, cactus bedecked hills of Band Abou. The dive site is a short swim from the beach at Playa Forti, at the south end of town. Park in the lot at the top of the cliffs and take the stairs down to the water. The volcanic black sand can get very hot, so don’t forget your booties. Amenities are limited to some thatched parasols, with a restaurant above the beach serving food and drinks, where you can leap 35 feet down into the water below. (This is not a recommended entry with dive gear!)\n Enter at the beach and swim straight out to the drop-off, about 150 yards from shore. We recommend swimming on the surface to conserve air for your dive and for the return trip. Due to a good bit of boat traffic and a mostly sandy bottom, this is not a great spot for snorkeling. The reef starts in 30 feet of water and drops gradually to 120 feet. Both directions are good, depending on the current. Currents here are generally light but known to be unpredictable. The reef is in good condition, with Sea Whips, Sea Rods, Cup Coral, and Plate Coral growing along the wall. Look for plenty of Morays, Spotted Drums, Hamlets, and some Sea Turtles.