The Bianca C is one of the Caribbean’s most impressive wreck dives, but there’s much more to diving in Grenada than this 600′ sunken cruiseship. Ride the currents over coral gardens and dive the outlying wrecks and reefs frequented by larger pelagics. Above the surface, the “Spice Island” offers a wealth of eco-adventures from waterfalls and rainforests to volcano hikes as well as some interesting sights in the capital of St. George, one of the Caribbean’s most picturesque harbors.
Diving in Grenada
The wreck capital of the Caribbean, Grenada hosts an impressive collection of artificial reefs. Of course, the crown jewel in Grenada’s wreck crown is the largest wreck in the Caribbean, the mighty Bianca C. This 600-foot ex-cruise liner has been called the “Titanic of the Caribbean,” and it’s actually a real shipwreck. It caught fire off St. Georges Harbor in 1961 and sunk in 165-feet of water. The years have been both kind (the wreck is covered in corals and sponges) and unkind (it’s slowly collapsing upon itself). However, there are still some holds open for penetration, and dozens of dives worth of things to experience on this wreck. And, although the mast reaches up to about 75 feet, the main deck starts at 125-feet, so it’s definitely an advanced dive.
That said, there are plenty of shallower wrecks that offer plenty of action. The 70-foot long Veronica L, a fully intact ex-coastal freighter in 50 feet of water, literally has tornadoes of marine life on it. Shoals of brown chromis, baitfish, rainbow runners, and more. It also has a thick coat of growth and at night become a fiesta of orange when all the cup corals open up to feed. Like the Veronica L, the 180-foot MV Shakem, which has been on the seafloor since 2001, ripples with life. The cargo hold and pilothouse are quickly becoming lively artificial reefs under the weight of soft corals and sponges.
Other must do wrecks include the 170-foot Hema 1, another natural wreck, which sunk about three miles off Grenada’s south coast; the King Mitch has been attracting a lot of attention lately as a top wreck for spotted eagle rays (schools), resident sea turtles and other pelagic passersby.
The reefs off Grenada can be as active and breathtaking as the wrecks. Isle de Rhonde is worth skipping a wreck or two. This reefs around this little island offer stunning underwater ecosystem, with lots to experience from the macro world up to passing eagle rays. Purple Rain teems with macro life and is frequently coursed by its namesake as rivers of Creole wrasse course over the seascape. The nearby island of Carriacou has a plethora of prolific reefs and two nice little wrecks of its own, the Wreck and the Tugboat.
Dive Primer
- Water Temp: 78-80°
- Visibility: 60-80′+
- Wetsuit: 1.5mm to 3mm
Best Time to Travel
- Plan your dive trip to Grenada between December to August for the best visibiltiy
Favorite Dive Sites
- Bianca C (advanced divers)
- The Shakem
- Ile de Ronde