Mandarin Oriental Canouan, St Vincent and the Grenadines

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.