Our warm tropical waters are so enticing that many visitors to Grenada and the Grenadines want to jump straight in. The clear turquoise water is perfect for snorkelling and you will see many different species of fish, corals and sponges.
Sea temperatures range from 25-29C which makes these islands a great year round destination. Snorkelling conditions may be affected if there is rain (run off makes the visibility lower) or strong winds.
Snorkelling in Grenada
The Grenada Marine Park is just 10 minutes by boat from Grand Anse/St. George’s. As this is a Marine Protected Area there is a fee of USD1 if you are snorkelling. The money goes towards the upkeep of the moorings and preservation of the environment. The friendly park rangers will assist you from their boat if needed. Dragon Bay and Flamingo Bay have coral and sponge covered boulder formations that start at the shore and gradually drop to 10m; scuba divers can explore the deeper sections. You will see a good variety of reef fish, and sometimes there are turtles.
Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park has lots of interesting things to discover! World famous sculptor, Jason DeCaires Taylor, has contributed many pieces to the park. The first sculpture to be placed was a life size circle of children holding hands called “Vicissitudes”. There are now many sculptures to see that have been created by local and international artists. Schools of blue Creole wrasse, sergeant majors and parrotfish love grazing in this area. Also, watch out for the large family of squid who live in the bay!
Snorkelling in Carriacou
Snorkelling in CarriacouSandy Island is located off of the west coast of Carriacou. Here, snorkellers will find underwater boulder formations that are covered by coral and sponge growth. The depth is between 2-10m which is perfect for happily snorkelling along. Many colourful schooling reef fish can be seen here.
Saline Island & White Island are along the south coast of Carriacou. They have lovely coral reef sections where snorkellers may see nurse sharks and tropical reef fish.
Snorkelling in the Grenadines
On the northern end of Union Island is Chatham Bay. The snorkelling here is good with visitors often seeing turtles along the boulder strewn reef. Cushion sea stars litter the sandy seabed that extends from a depth of 2m down to 10m.
West of Petit St. Vincent is famous Mopion Island. This tiny sandbar (with its single sunshade) has a surrounding coral reef which snorkellers can explore. The depth is around 5m but watch out for the current which may be strong.
Snorkelling in the Tobago Cays
There are six islands within the Tobago Cays Marine Park: Mayreau, Baradol, Jamesby, Petit Bateau, Petit Tobac, and Petit Rameau. Please adhere to the snorkelling and diving guidelines for this Marine Protected Area and DO NOT touch any marine life, especially the endangered sea turtles. The park fee is XCD10 per day per person.
The area around Baradol is where the protected green and hawksbill turtles hang out to feed. They are placid and you can slowly swim alongside them. Be careful not to get too close or they will swim away from you! Snorkellers may also see southern stingray, sea stars and conch in the shallow 2-5m area.
There is a great drift snorkel around the northern end of Petit Bateau. As you glide along in the moderate current you will see eagle rays (Watch Our Eagle Ray Video), octopus, squid, large jacks and nurse sharks. The depth is between 2-10m.
Snorkelling in Bequia
Devil’s Table is the most accessible snorkelling spot in Bequia; it takes just a couple of minutes to reach by boat from Admiralty Bay. There is a shallow reef starting at the shore and descending down to 12m. Reef fish, lobsters, crabs, squid, barracuda, octopus and many more varieties of marine life await the avid snorkeller. The sponges and sea fans that grow over the boulders are very pretty in the shallower areas. Be aware there may be current around the west cardinal marker.
So what are you waiting for? Slip into your swimmers, pop on your mask and snorkel, and have fun discovering the wonderful underwater world of Grenada and the Grenadines!