Located a quick boat ride from Carriacou, Sandy Island is a fantastic place to spend the day lounging in the shade of a coconut tree, feasting on local seafood, and of course, diving and snorkeling. Completely uninhabited, and with no amenities but those provided by nature, this little island truly does let you get away from it all. You can enjoy slipping into the azure water at any point around Sandy Island, but some sites offer exceptional enjoyment – here are just three.
Divers Surprise
Sometimes called the Lighthouse Dive Site, Diver’s Surprise is located directly offshore from the Sandy Island Lighthouse. While there is a slight current sometimes, this fantastic reef is suitable for all divers, and begins at a depth of just seven meters. Extending to meet the ocean floor at a depth of 23 meters, the site offers excellent visibility at about 25 meters most of the time. Packed with macro life, and home to a seemingly endless array of fish and other creatures, this underwater paradise is a good place to encounter flamingo tongues and moray eels, crabs and lobsters, yellowtail snapper, and sleek barracuda, all against a backdrop of colorful hard and soft coral, bouquets of azure vase sponges, and gently beckoning sea fans.
Western Adventure
A fantastic site for all divers, and suitable for diving day or night, Western Adventure is a great place to encounter many larger marine animals, including stingrays, eagle rays, nurse sharks, and the occasional turtle. Featuring a steeply sloping profile that extends from a depth of 7 meters to meet the seabed below at a depth of 23 meters, this reef is covered in a mantle of brilliant hard and soft coral, various sponges, and lovely sea fans. Be sure to spend some time enjoying the nearly endless parade of reef fish that pass, including French angelfish, butterfly fish, Moorish idols, and lots of creole wrasse; and on night dives, enjoy the sight of nudibranchs and crustaceans putting on a fabulous show.
Sandy Garden
A shallow site which begins at a depth of only 5 meters and which extends to a maximum depth of just 18 meters, Sandy Garden is a lovely coral garden that acts as a nursery for all sorts of pelagic and reef fish. Larger fish and other marine life are here in abundance as well; watch for everything from big groupers to trumpet fish, to crabs and conch as you explore. Like Western Adventure, this site is perfect for night dives.
Accessing Sandy Island is easy – you can easily spend the day snorkeling simply by catching a ride with a local fisherman hired by one of the resorts at Carriacou, or you can enjoy boat diving with one of the local dive operators. Picnics and snacks are often part of the package, so all you’ll need is a camera, your gear, some sunscreen, and a desire for fun and relaxation. Make reservations in advance to ensure a trip to Sandy Island is part of your Carriacou dive vacation.