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Galley Bay, Antigua

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Galley Bay, Antigua

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Galley Bay Resort and Spa, Grays’s Farm Main Rd, Antigua and Barbuda.

Coordinates in degrees decimal:  N 17.122066, E -61.891647

Visited in July 2015.

http://www.galleybayresort.com

Galley Bay sits on the west coast of Antigua but the, almost one kilometre long, beach faces NNW. Average daily temperatures are lowest, at 25C, between January and February, with maximum average temperature of 28C between June and September. Seawater temperatures are 26C, between January and April, rising to maximum of 29C in September. Rainfall, which could affect visibility, is at a maximum in September to November, with 135mm falling per month.

Strongest winds, apart from hurricane season (generally August to October), can be up to 35knts although generally below 17knts. These winds, however, are from the east, with very little, if any winds, from the east and north east. Despite the sheltered conditions on the west coat of the island, increased wave heights can occur, particularly on the western end of the beach, during the November to April period, due to regionally raised swell conditions.

Although having suffered hurricane damage in the past and with evident effects of sedimentation, this bay has an interesting and varied fauna and flora, with over 110 species recorded during our visit in 2105. New growths of Acropora species suggests improving conditions and coral recovery.

Prepared with the support of the resort.

Four locations are mentioned in the text. 1. Western entry point. 2. Eastern entry point. 3. Initial shallow reef area just off entry point 2, and 4. Headland at the eastern end of the beach.
The western end of the beach has good areas of reef, however, the entry into the water (point 1) in this part of the bay is difficult at times due to its more exposed conditions and greater wave activity. Recommended only for confident snorkellers.
The eastern end of the bay has a small headland (point 4) with a further enclosed bay just past this. The reef off the headland has a good variety of easily accessed snorkelling areas.
The eastern reef is most easily accessed from the main beach just before the reef starts (Point 2). The reef is quite large, extending a good distance off shore. It is easiest to exit on the Galley Bay beach, unless you are confident enough to swim round to the next bay, which also has a gently sloping beach.
The first area of reef, encountered on the right, just after entering the water (point 3), has numerous hollows with sand patches and overhangs. These are ideal snorkelling conditions, in which you can find many species of fish in and around the reef. The surface of the reef is fairly featureless with a covering of silt over much of it.
Closer to the headland (point 4) the reef surface becomes more varied with impressive growths of the Encrusting White Zoanthid over the rock and covering some of the former Elkhorn coral outcrops. This is the area with the greatest variety of marine life, combined with generally calm conditions.
Four locations mentioned in the text. 1. Eastern entry point. 2. Western entry point. 3. Initial shallow reef area just off entry point 1, and 4. Headland at the eastern end of the beach.
The western end of the beach has good areas of reef, however, the entry into the water (point 2) in this part of the bay is difficult at times due to its more exposed conditions and greater wave activity. Recommended only for confident snorkellers.
 
The eastern reef is most easily accessed from the main beach just before the reef starts (Point 1). The reef is quite large, extending a good distance off shore. It is easiest to exit on the Galley Bay beach, unless you are confident enough to swim round to the next bay, which also has a gently sloping beach.
The first area of reef, encountered on the right, just after entering the water (point 3), has numerous hollows with sand patches and overhangs. These are ideal snorkelling conditions, in which you can find many species of fish in and around the reef. The surface of the reef is fairly featureless with a covering of silt over much of it.
Closer to the headland (point 4) the reef surface becomes more varied with impressive growths of the Encrusting White Zoanthid over the rock and covering some of the former Elkhorn coral outcrops. This is the area with the greatest variety of marine life, combined with generally calm conditions.

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All Reef & seabed associated fish Mid & Open-water fish Sponges Anemones & Sea Firs Soft Corals & Gorgonians Hard Corals & Coral like species Worms & worm like species Crustaceans Molluscs Echinoderms Algae & Seagrasses

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