While Grenada has gained acclaim as the “Wreck diving capital of the Caribbean”, and while divers come in droves to view the world-famous underwater sculpture site, there are plenty of fantastic coral reefs and sheltered bays to explore. Grenada’s Marine Protected Areas are home to a high concentration of marine life large and small. With more than 30 dive sites to choose from, here are five favorites you’re sure to enjoy.
Dragon Bay
Excellent for snorkeling and ideal for all divers, Dragon Bay features a series of sandy channels that lead toward the coral covered reef. Beautifully colorful, with marvelous hard and soft corals and lovely sponges, the site offers maximum depth at 24 meters and is home to octopus, crabs, lobsters, and a kaleidoscope of reef fish. Deeper down, you can find southern stingrays, along with some large groupers and passing pelagics.
Molinere Reef
With impressive underwater canyons in shallow water and a lovely reef that starts at 11 meters and slopes to the top of a wall at 22 meters, Molinere Reef is a fantastic multi-level site for all divers and offers a maximum depth at 30 meters. In the shallows, you’ll find lots of colorful damsels and anthias, along with red-banded parrotfish, creole wrasse, and other tropicals. As you move into deeper water, watch for moray eels and groupers, yellowtail snappers, barracudas, and a garden of sand eels.
Flamingo Bay
A fantastic site for all divers and great for a relaxing snorkel too, Flamingo Bay offers depths between 6 and 27 meters. Beautifully swathed in stands of elkhorn coral and gorgeous bouquets of soft coral that extend to feed when the current picks up, the site offers an incredible assortment of huge barrel sponges, ball sponges, and elegant rope sponges. Here, you’ll find all sorts of crabs and other crustaceans, along with various pipefish and even some long snout sea horses. In addition, there are spotted drums, big bar jacks, banded jawfish, and vibrant purple Creole wrasse, to name just a few. Watch for small reef sharks and sleek barracudas in deeper areas.
Grand Mal
One of Grenada’s best places to find large southern stingrays and see enormous pillar coral formations, Grand Mal is often washed by strong currents that allow for a drift to Molinere Reef. Featuring depths between 10 and 30 meters, the site is suitable for PADI AOW divers or the equivalent. Watch for schooling pelagics, and enjoy the sight of toothy barracuda hunting baitfish.
Happy Valley
A fantastic wall dive located right in the middle of the Marine Protected Area, Happy Valley is an excellent place to encounter French angel fish, lots of butterfly fish, and many other reef species. As you explore, you’ll find an ancient Admiralty anchor encrusted with coral, which makes an excellent spot to pause for a quick photo. Among the black coral, look for little shrimp, and in rocky areas, you’ll find some very large groupers and cranky lobsters. The wall starts at 6 meters and extends to meet the ocean floor at 27 meters. Watch for barracudas, sharks, schooling yellowtail, and turtles.
Offering visibility that varies from 30 to 100 feet, Grenada’s waters are warm and welcoming, as are the many resorts, hotels, and other accommodations. With lots to see and do topside, including lovely waterfalls and magnificent rain forests, the island is also home to several excellent dive operators. Grab your camera and your favorite dive buddy – adventure awaits!