Wrecks on Vauxhall Reef

Access
Many local operators, including catamarans and glass bottom boats, visit the whole town wrecks. The catamarans commonly from the shallow draft harbour in Bridgetown. The glass bottom boats often leave from the beach adjacent to surfside restaurant and bar. This site can also be accessed directly by swimming from the beach. The safest way to do this is to swim on the north side of the fringing reef to avoid being caught in the breaking waves that sometimes occur around the shallow reef Crest. A line of buoys helps to protect swimmers from boat traffic.

Description
The Holetown wrecks are two large barges within the swimming distance of each other. The structures are relatively flat and less interesting to explore than some of the more complex wrecks Rex in Carlisle Bay, but they support enough marine life to make a visit worthwhile. Bermuda chubs and sergeant majors are particularly common here. At its seaward edge, the reef develops into a section of spurs and grooves. Schooling fish, such as grunts and surgeonfish, can be found on the reef spurs, as well as parrotfish and the occasional grouper. Goatfish, conch and even the odd Stingray are too frequent a sandy grooves between the reef spurs.

ECO TIP
Some tour operators that visit this site have been known to feed the fish in order to bring them closer to snorkelers. This practice is generally discouraged by most biologists and marine park managers. Firstly, fish have been known to become more aggressive where feeding occurs, even to where they might accidentally bite snorkelers. Secondly, the food released at feeding sites is often unnatural and unhealthy for fish. Finally, habituating wild animals to humans by feeding them may put them at greater risk of being caught in the future dash a healthy fear of humans is a positive thing for most wild animals.

Route
The shallowness of the site allows both divers and snorkelers to explore the area. Most visitors explore the north wreck first and then head south, often swimming along the seaward edge of the fringing reef in order to reach the second wreck. There is plenty to explore on both wrecks and on the reef between.

SAFETY TIP
The current and wave action is usually mild at this site but divers and snorkelers should be careful to avoid touching or standing on the reef dash doing so can damage the fragile corals that make up the wreath and can also result in serious injury. Fire corals produce painful burns and sea urchins have spines that can easily puncture skin, even when only lightly touched… if you must stand while snorkeling do so in a sandy area. Protect yourself in the coral reef by observing without touching.