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Basilica
 Bermuda
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Max Depth: 51-60ft/16-18m
Average Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m
Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Rating: 4.50 by 2 divers
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Basilica is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Bermuda. This dive site has an average rating of 4.50 out of 5 from 2 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 51-60ft/16-18m. The average visibility is 36-40ft/11-12m.
Basilica, as you would expect from the name, is located very close to The Cathedral. The reef formations making cathedral like caverns and caves where the massive boiler reefs that typify the south side of Bermuda come close together. The Basilica is a popular hiding place for schools of Snapper and Margate. This is also home to a school of enormous Ocean Tarpon.
During the spring vast schools of Parrot Fish cruise this area. A phenomenon common to Bermuda, not heard of anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere. Expect so see in excess of 100 massive specimens traveling as if on a mission. They stay very much species specific meaning you will see groups of Midnight Blue’s groups of Stoplight and groups of Blue’s but never a mixed group.
Depths vary from the shallows inshore of the breaker wall at 15ft to around 55ft on the ocean side of The Cathedral. Navigation is difficult. It’s very easy to get "turned around" in the many canyons and caverns although the actual area of the site is quiet compact, care must be taken not head off in the wrong direction. The closest land mass to the south is Tortola in the British Virgin Isles!!
Keep your eyes open for the massive and very inquisitive Tarpon. Dig in the sand and these guys will come and see what it is your looking for. They are calm and very approachable but make for horrendous difficulty if trying flash photography due to their "foil wrap" appearance. A flashlight is a handy extra to have with you. Many caves, cracks and crevices are home to Lobster and Crabs. Look out for the Spanish Slipper Lobsters in the shallow sand areas. Another excellent site for making use of the Divemaster’s navigational skills, unless of course if you are partial to the BVI’s? .
REMEMBER.... THE REEF IS FRAGILE! PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH OR TREAD ON LIVING CORAL.