Paul's

Paul’s Reef, named after the diving pioneer Paul Lazeau Sr., offers an exciting underwater experience. The south end features an “Amphitheater” teeming with marine life. Divers can explore the main western ledge or stay on top of the reef and dive the “Collapsed Feature,” which features ledges in a complete circle. The reef is adorned with sea fans, ball anemones, barrel sponges, and elephant ear sponges. Keep your camera ready, as you’ll encounter parrotfish, eels, stingrays, and the occasional guitar shark. Paul’s Reef is a long section of the reef tract that parallels the shoreline. It spans approximately 250 feet (76 meters) in width. Most divers focus on the western side of the reef, which starts as a double ledge system. These ledges are about 3 feet (1 meter) in height. The first ledge sits adjacent to the sandy seafloor at a depth of about 55 feet (17 meters). As you move eastward, the second ledge becomes shallower. Both ledges offer exciting features for divers, including swim-throughs and abundant marine life. Goliath grouper, nurse sharks, and sea turtles often seek shelter in the undercut areas of the reef. Large schools of tomtates and other grunts move throughout the area. Lobsters and crabs inhabit the numerous shallow channels and recesses. As divers drift north, the reef bends noticeably to the northeast. The ledge becomes even taller, reaching a height of about 12 feet (3.5 meters). In several places, parts of the ledge have collapsed entirely, leaving boulders in the sand and exposing channels that run back into the reef structure. Numerous species of parrotfish can be found on the reef, including midnight, blue, and rainbow parrotfish. The ledge abruptly ends at a point called Sloan’s Curve, where it bends sharply back toward the east. To the north and slightly west, divers will encounter several isolated patch reefs. These patches range from 100 to 300 feet (30 to 90 meters) in length and are separated by stretches of sandy seafloor (between 100 and 200 feet or 30 to 60 meters wide). Stingrays, yellowhead jawfish, and hogfish are often found in the sandy areas surrounding the patch reefs. Within the patch reefs themselves, various grouper species, margates, and angelfish thrive. The patch reefs top out at depths of around 45 feet (14 meters), and some even have narrow swim-throughs.