Diving and Snorkeling in Grenada

You can see hundreds of varieties of fish and some 40 species of coral at more than a dozen sites off Grenada's southwest coast—only 15 to 20 minutes by boat—and another couple of dozen sites around Carriacou's reefs and neighboring islets. Depths vary from 20 to 120 feet, and visibility varies from 30 to 100 feet.

Off Grenada

For a spectacular dive, visit the ruins of Bianca C, a 600-foot cruise ship that caught fire in 1961, sank to 100 feet, and is now a coral-encrusted habitat for giant turtles, spotted eagle rays, barracuda, and jacks. Boss Reef extends 5 miles (8 km) from St. George's Harbour to Point Salines, with a depth ranging from 20 to 90 feet. Flamingo Bay has a wall that drops to 90 feet. It teems with fish, sponges, sea horses, sea fans, and coral. Molinère Reef slopes from about 20 feet below the surface to a wall that drops to 65 feet. Molinère is also the location of the Underwater Sculpture Park, a rather odd artificial reef consisting of more than 55 life-size figures that were sculpted by artist and scuba instructor Jason Taylor and placed on the sea bottom. An underwater bench gives divers a good view of the art gallery. Its most recent addition is a 2011 replica of Christ of the Deep, the statue that's on the promenade along the Carenage in St. George's. Molinère is a good dive for beginners; advanced divers can continue farther out to view the wreck of the Buccaneer, a 42-foot sloop.

Grenada Dive Operators

Aquanauts Grenada. Every morning Aquanauts Grenada heads out on two-tank dive trips, each accommodating no more than eight divers, to both the Caribbean and Atlantic sides of Grenada. Also available: guided snorkel trips; beach snorkeling; and special activities, courses, and equipment for children. Spice Island Beach Resort, Grand Anse Beach, Grand Anse, St. George. 473/444-1126; 800/513-5257 in U.S. www.aquanautsgrenada.com. True Blue Bay Resort, True Blue.

Dive Grenada. Specializing in diving the Bianca C wreck and in family snorkeling trips, Dive Grenada heads out twice daily (at 10 am and 2 pm) to local dive sites. Flamboyant Hotel, Morne Rouge Rd., Morne Rouge, St. George. 473/444-1092. www.divegrenada.com.

EcoDive. This full-service PADI dive shop offers two trips daily, both drift and wreck dives, as well as weekly trips to dive Isle de Rhonde and a full range of diving courses. EcoDive employs two full-time marine biologists who run Grenada's marine-conservation and education center and conduct coral-reef monitoring and restoration efforts. Coyaba Beach Resort, Grand Anse Beach, Grand Anse, St. George. 473/444-7777. www.ecodiveandtrek.com.

ScubaTech Grenada. With three full-time diving instructors, ScubaTech Grenada offers the complete range of PADI programs—from "discover scuba," which allows novices to learn the basics and dive for the length of their vacation, to "dive master," the highest level a diver can achieve. Dive trips to local sites leave each morning. Calabash Hotel, Prickly Bay Beach, L'Anse aux Épines, St. George. 473/439-4346. www.scubatech-grenada.com.