Carriacou is known locally as the Island of Reefs, and the name is earned. With over 30 dive sites concentrated along the island’s Caribbean coastline, warm clear water year-round, and a protected marine park that takes in wrecks, pinnacles, and some of the healthiest coral in the eastern Caribbean, it stands apart from better-known dive destinations in the region precisely because it remains uncrowded. For guests staying at Las Tortugas Villa on the island’s west coast, the dive sites are not just accessible but exceptional, with several of the best within a mile of the property.
The Carriacou Marine Park
Fifteen of the island’s dive sites fall within the Sandy Island Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area, a reserve that stretches along the west coast from Tyrrel Bay through the Sisters Rocks, past Mabouya Island, and out to Sandy Island. The protected status has preserved the coral and marine life within this corridor in a condition that is increasingly rare in the Caribbean. Four wreck dives sit within the marine park, alongside reef systems, canyons, and the pinnacles at Sisters Rocks, which were recognised by National Geographic as among the world’s best dive sites.
Las Tortugas Villa sits directly adjacent to Mabouya Island, placing guests within a mile of this protected zone. For divers, that proximity is genuinely significant.
The Dive Sites
Sisters Rocks are the standout site for experienced divers. Two dramatic pinnacles rising from depth, they attract eagle rays, nurse sharks, and large schools of fish. The currents here can be strong, which adds to the spectacle but means this site is better suited to divers with some experience rather than those just starting out.
Mabouya Island hosts several sites accessible to divers of most levels. The Westsider, a 30-metre wreck officially sunk in 2004, sits in water shallow enough for recreational diving and has become heavily encrusted with coral. It is a strong underwater photography site. The reefs around Mabouya also offer reliable sightings of turtles, rays, and moray eels.
Anse La Roche on the island’s north coast offers gentler conditions and is well suited to newer divers and snorkellers. The reef begins in a coral garden dotted with boulders that shelter octopuses, crabs, and small morays. Parrotfish, spotted drums, and spiny lobster are commonly seen here, and rays are occasionally spotted resting on the sandy bottom.
The Wrecks within the marine park include a 100-foot tugboat sitting in 90 feet of water, encrusted with coral and home to lobsters and large fish. A second tugboat sits slightly shallower and offers a more accessible wreck dive for those without advanced certification.
Water visibility around Carriacou is consistently good throughout the year. Water temperatures stay warm in all seasons, making a light wetsuit or skin suit sufficient for most divers.
The Dive Operators
Two operators are currently active on the island.
Dive Carriacou holds PADI 5 Star Dive Centre status and has been awarded the Green Fins accreditation, making it the first dive centre in the Grenadines to achieve that recognition. Based in Tyrrel Bay, roughly five minutes from Las Tortugas Villa, the team runs guided dives across the full range of local sites as well as PADI courses from Discover Scuba through to professional level. They offer pick-up and drop-off directly from yachts moored in Tyrrel Bay and can accommodate flexible dive times to suit guest schedules. World of diving Divecarriacou
Deefer Diving operates from Hillsborough, around 15 minutes from the villa, and offers PADI and SSI courses alongside daily dive safaris and snorkelling trips. The operation also runs marine conservation projects through Caribbean Reef Buddy for guests who want to combine diving with something more purposeful.
Both operators cater to all experience levels, from first-time divers completing a Discover Scuba session through to experienced divers looking to explore the wrecks and current sites.
Snorkelling
Not every guest who wants to get in the water needs a tank. Many of the best sites are adjacent to Mabouya Island, within the SIOMPA Marine Park and just a mile or so from Las Tortugas Villa. Sandy Island, reached by water taxi from Paradise Beach, is the most popular snorkelling destination and offers shallow water with strong fish life around the recovering reef on the island’s north side. Saline Island is a quieter alternative with a shallow lagoon, resident sea turtles, and very few other visitors. LasTortugas
Jack-A-Dan Island, within sight of Las Tortugas Villa, is home to something genuinely unlike anything else in the Grenadines. Just 15 to 20 feet below the surface sits A World Adrift, an underwater sculpture park created by renowned artist Jason deCaires Taylor. The installation features 30 independent pieces, each one a boat helmed by a local schoolchild, together symbolising hope, leadership, and the next generation’s role in caring for the ocean environment. As described on the artist’s Instagram: “Experience the incredible journey of ‘A World Adrift,’ the newest underwater sculpture park in Carriacou… this striking installation featured 30 boats, each helmed by a local schoolchild, symbolizing hope, leadership, and the next generation’s role in preserving our environment.” The water is clear, the depth accessible to confident snorkellers, and the experience is among the most memorable things a guest can do without a tank.
For guests who simply want to explore from the shore, the waters directly in front of the villa are calm and clear, with the marine park corridor beginning immediately to the south.
When to Dive
Carriacou is a year-round diving destination. The dry season from January to May can be quite windy, sometimes affecting near-surface conditions for snorkelling, but the wet season brings warmer water, less breeze, and crystal-clear visibility. Hurricane season runs from June to November, and while this occasionally affects surface conditions, dive trips continue through most of the season weather permitting. Divecarriacou
One practical note for all divers: Grenada does not have a recompression chamber on island. The nearest facilities are in Trinidad and Barbados, both reachable by air ambulance in around 30 minutes. Both dive operators are fully equipped with emergency oxygen and operate to appropriate safety standards, but it is worth being aware of the situation before diving, particularly for those planning deep or multiple dives in a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carriacou good for diving?
Carriacou is one of the best diving destinations in the eastern Caribbean. With over 30 sites including wrecks, reef systems, and the Sisters Rocks pinnacles recognised by National Geographic, it offers variety and quality for divers of all levels. The marine park along the west coast is well protected and the water clarity is consistently good.
What are the best dive sites in Carriacou?
The Sisters Rocks are widely considered the standout site, with strong current, impressive marine life, and dramatic topography. The wrecks around Mabouya Island are excellent for underwater photography. Anse La Roche suits newer divers and snorkellers.
Who are the dive operators in Carriacou?
Dive Carriacou, a PADI 5 Star Centre based in Tyrrel Bay, and Deefer Diving in Hillsborough are the two active operators. Both offer guided dives and PADI certification courses for all levels.
Can beginners dive in Carriacou?
Yes. Both dive operators offer Discover Scuba sessions and Open Water courses. Sites such as Anse La Roche are well suited to newer divers, with calm conditions and shallow depths.
Is there snorkelling in Carriacou?
Sandy Island and Saline Island are the two main snorkelling destinations. Sandy Island is reached by water taxi from Paradise Beach and offers shallow reefs with abundant fish life. Sea turtles are regularly sighted at Saline Island. Jack-A-Dan Island, within sight of Las Tortugas Villa, is also worth seeking out for the A World Adrift underwater sculpture park, created by Jason deCaires Taylor and accessible to snorkellers in just 15 to 20 feet of clear water.
Do I need to book diving in advance in Carriacou?
It is advisable, particularly during busier periods. Both Dive Carriacou and Deefer Diving accept bookings by WhatsApp and email and can often accommodate same-day requests outside peak periods, but confirming in advance avoids disappointment.
Guests staying at Las Tortugas Villa are within Carriacou Marine Park and five minutes from Dive Carriacou in Tyrrel Bay. The villa’s included 4WD makes reaching both operators and the island’s northern dive sites straightforward. For a broader overview of what to do during your stay, see the Things to Do in Carriacou guide. Couples planning a diving holiday with a romantic base should also take a look at the Honeymoon in Carriacou page.