Bajo Alcyonne

Bajo Alcyone is an underwater seamount or pinnacle named after Jacques Cousteau’s ship Alcyone, notable for its dramatic arrowhead-shaped rock formation and as a magnet for open-water pelagic life. The site is renowned for large schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks that circle in cleaning-station areas and regularly attracts manta rays, mobula rays and other pelagic species, making pelagics the main attraction. Dives are boat- or liveaboard-based with a negative-entry (backroll) and a fixed descent line to reach the 18–25 m top of the pinnacle quickly because currents are very strong and often unpredictable; the feature consists of two sloping rock walls that meet at a point and channel animals from multiple directions. Divers commonly remain on the central/anchor line or use reef hooks or tethers for stability; depth can reach up to 35 m. Water temperatures are about 25–28 °C and visibility typically 15–30 m but can be reduced by plankton when currents are heavy. Strong down-currents make decompression stops common, so plan for extra time on the shotline, and the site is restricted to experienced, advanced divers. No shore access is possible; all visits are by liveaboard or dive boat.