Diving the island of Carriacou

Carriacou scuba diving features

MARINE LIFE:

Nurse sharks Southern stingray
Shy Hamlet

CARRIACOU'S TOP DIVE SITE:
Twin Tugs

DESTINATION OVERVIEW
One of the Caribbean's most popular diving destinations, Grenada is the most southerly of the Windward Islands and along with her smaller sister, Carriacou, is located at the very bottom of the chain of islands that form the eastern edge of the Caribbean Sea.

Although Grenada is better known as a destination for scuba divers, smaller, quieter Carriacou has it's fair share of great dive sites as well, and the added bonus of being, well, smaller and quieter.

The island's name also translates as ‘land of reefs’ and you only have to look out from shore to see these hovering beneath the surface. The water is classic Caribbean turquoise, the marine realm is healthy and some of the reef structures vary from those to the south: there are areas with huge tumbled boulders, gaping caverns and even some volcanic gases escaping like champagne bubbles from the seabed. To top it all off, there are even a few new wreck dives.

Seasons
Year round but rainy June to December
Visibility:
5 – 25 metres
Water temperature:
25 – 29º C.
Deco chambers:
Barbados, Trinidad

Flights direct from the UK or via the US to Grenada then 90 minutes by fast ferry
Dive operators and accommodation options Grenada Scuba Diving Association

PROS AND CONS
Carriacou is only a short hop onwards from Grenada so it us just as easy to reach yet surprisingly, mass tourism has not infiltrated in the same way. Hotels are minimal but small rustic guest houses are plentiful. The island is quiet and pretty much shuts down at about 9pm yet, surprisingly, internet access here is as good as London! This is an island for doing a couple of calm lazy dives in a day then chilling out in the peaceful atmosphere.

SCUBA DIVING
The marine life and conditions around Carriacou are much the same as around Grenada, however, we saw more large pelagic animals on these reefs. That may have just been luck but we suspect it was also because the area is quieter and the waters just off Hillsborough are a marine reserve. These reefs are also a little more protected from the Atlantic currents. Carriacou has three wrecks, each scuttled to create dive sites. These are quite new but attracting a lot of fish. The reefs that fringe the small islands in the bay are also interesting sites with more varied terrain and some very interesting swim-throughs and channels that attract pelagics.

Opinion
This little island is a funny one, a real step back in time to a style of Caribbean island that retains far more of that idealised tropical Caribbean atmosphere. Although facilities are minimal, there is enough to keep most people happy. We certainly enjoyed our few days there and wished for a few more.

The dive operator in Hillsborough is Carriacou Silver Diving run by Max and Claudia. These two are highly professional yet very relaxed and the atmosphere in their garden clad dive centre is completely charming – plus they also run one of the best restaurants on the island.