Scuba diving in
St Vincent and the GrenadinesHighlights
- A diverse archipelago with experiences for everyone
- Spot macro marine life in the critter capital of the Caribbean
- Coral reefs, wrecks, and walls suitable for all divers
- Explore uninhabited islands and isolated cays
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a charismatic and captivating nation consisting of a string of idyllic islands and isolated cays. Each offers its own quintessential Caribbean charm – from desert-island seclusion and five-star service, to laid-back living and colourful culture – giving every traveller the chance to experience the holiday of their dreams. This diversity is mirrored below the waves, where visiting divers can explore reefs, walls, caves, and wrecks, as well as some of the best macro in the entire Caribbean.
Diving in St Vincent and the Grenadines
SharksYear round
StingraysYear round
TurtlesYear round
Macro CreaturesYear round
Plentiful reef lifeYear round
WrecksYear round
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have been coined the “critter capital of the Caribbean”, offering some of the best macro diving experiences outside of the Coral Triangle. Sought after species that can be seen here include flying gurnards, frogfish, seahorses, pipefish, and many more. That said, divers of all descriptions are sure to enjoy themselves in these waters, with over a hundred dive sites to explore including thriving coral gardens, lava canyons, fast-paced drifts, and even a few wrecks.
Diving in Saint Vincent
The Island of Saint Vincent is home to around 45 dive sites, the majority of which are located around the south and west coasts and can be reached within 15-30 minutes. Situated centrally on the west side of the island, Anchor Reef is often considered one of the country’s top sites. This spectacular wall is decorated with gorgonians and black corals and offers numerous swim-throughs as well the chance to spot seahorses.
Another highlight is Bat Cave, which – as the name suggests – features a fissure in the reef that leads to a semi-submerged cave full of bats. Or, if you’re interested in wrecks, Capital Wrecks delivers three vessels lying almost on top of one another. The first to sink was an 18th Century frigate, while the other two collided several decades ago. Other noteworthy sites around Saint Vincent include Back Door, Fizzy Reef, Layou Wall, Petit Byahaut, Oblizalo Drift, and Rock Fort.
Diving in the Grenadines
The most northerly island in the Grenadines, Bequia, offers around 30 dive sites within easy reach of Admiralty Bay’s Port Elizabeth. Many of its sites feature sloping reefs full of macro subjects, including trumpetfish, sailfin blennies, frogfish, and more. Some of the most popular spots are Ship’s Stern, Boulders, Moonhole, Stratmann Wreck, Robyn's Reef, and Northwest Point.
Union Island is considered the diving hub of the southern Grenadines. Although the island only has a few of its own sites – namely Round About Reef and Clipper’s Point – it allows easy access to nearby Mayreau, the Tobago Cays, and Sail Rock. Mayreau delivers a decent number of dive sites and plenty of diversity. Valley Dive and Mayreau Garden are two drifts with healthy coral coverage, while Hot Springs offers fascinating underwater thermal vents. A wreck, thought to be that of the British patrol boat, HMT Purini, can also be explored in just 12-metres of water.
The protected Tobago Cays Marine Park incorporates several pristine underwater ecosystems that are perfect for scuba diving. World’s Ends Reef shelters stingrays and squadrons of eagle rays, while Horseshoe Reef offers endless hard and soft corals, sleeping nurse sharks, and friendly sea turtles. Finally, the distant Sail Rock sits roughly 10-kilometres further east, and is ideal for advanced divers as a result of its exposed location.
Diving Environment
Macro, reef, wreck
Beginner to Advanced
Year-round
5 - 40m
15 - 30m
27 - 29°C
Top tips
- Vehicles travel on the left in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the roads can be narrow and have steep inclines.
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines feature extensively in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.
- The Vincy Mas Carnival starts in late June and continues into July.
About St Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a small archipelago located within the Windward Islands of the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles. The nation consists of 32 individual islands, the largest of which, Saint Vincent, lies just south of St Lucia and around 160-kilometres due west of Barbados. To the south of Saint Vincent are 31 smaller islands known as the Grenadines, only eight of which are inhabited. Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, and Union Island are all home to small villages, while Palm Island, Young Island and Petit St Vincent are reserved for private island resorts, and the rest remain almost entirely as nature intended. Prominent uninhabited islands include Petit Nevis, Petit Mustique, and the beguiling Tobago Cays.
Like much of the West Indies, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines celebrates a rich Caribbean culture and tumultuous colonial history. With a mix of Arawaks, Caribs and West Africans, this little nation gave birth to the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna people, whose vibrant cultural heritage has since been recognised by UNESCO. Today, this archipelago offers the ultimate experience for almost any traveller – from exciting outdoor activities and picture-perfect scenery to exclusive elegance and enticing old-world charm.
Getting there
The island of Saint Vincent is home to the Argyle International Airport which receives direct flights from Toronto, New York, Miami, Caracas, and several nearby Caribbean islands. Once on Saint Vincent, visitors can get around by renting cars, hiring taxis, or boarding one of the brightly-coloured minibuses.
Though Bequia, Carouan, Union Island and Mustique also have very small airports, Argyle International Airport serves as the main gateway to the Grenadines. Another way to get to the Grenadines from St Vincent is by boat. A ferry operates several times a day between Kingstown on St Vincent and Port Elizabeth on Bequia (9 miles away) and takes about an hour. Private speed boats can also be arranged for small groups to go to other islands. Day trips to Mustique can easily be arranged from Bequia.
Where to stay
A selection of hotels, resorts and guesthouses can be found on the island of Saint Vincent, predominantly in the south around the capital city of Kingstown and the nearby town of Caliaqua. Nicknamed the “City of Arches”, Kingstown is a vibrant place with charming cobbled streets and historic architecture. In land, Saint Vincent is densely vegetated and dramatically mountainous, featuring one of the most potentially dangerous volcanoes in the Caribbean, La Soufriere.
Bequia is the largest of the Grenadines and offers an even spread of hotels and resorts to choose from. The island is becoming well-known for its beautiful beaches – including Friendship Beach, Princess Margaret Beach, Lower Bay and Industry Bay – but, so far, it has retained its original old-world charm and laid-back atmosphere. In contrast, Mustique places an emphasis on privacy and exclusivity – attracting a few famous faces in the process – while Canouan is acclaimed for unparalleled luxury and even features an 18-hole championship golf course. Visitors looking for the ultimate escape should consider staying on Mayreau or Union Island. These two destinations are well off the beaten track, guaranteeing perfect peace and tranquillity.
Seasons
The tropical Caribbean climate means that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ scuba diving can be experienced year round. But, there are some seasonal weather fluctuations that are worth bearing in mind.
As with most tropical destinations, the two main seasons are dictated by the amount of rain. In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the dry season runs from December through May, with average temperatures of around 27-28°C on land and in the water. The wet season runs from June to November, bringing a higher chance of downpours, although these months are still suitable for diving. Temperatures also peak during the wet season, averaging around 28-29°C above and below the water.
Keep in mind that hurricanes are possible between June and November, with chances highest between August and October. That said, hurricanes rarely hit the islands directly, but the increased wind and rain may still affect your visit. The shoulder seasons of May to June and October to November generally offer a good balance of climate, cost, conditions, and crowds.
