St. Vincent

Diving and Snorkeling

Novices and advanced divers alike will be impressed by the marine life in the waters around St. Vincent—brilliant sponges, huge deepwater coral trees, and shallow reefs teeming with colorful fish. Many sites in the Grenadines are still virtually unexplored. Most dive shops offer three-hour beginner "resort" courses, full certification courses, and excursions to reefs, walls, and wrecks throughout the Grenadines. A single-tank dive costs about $65; a two-tank, $115; a 10-dive package, $550. All prices include equipment. It can't be emphasized enough, however, that the coral reef is extremely fragile, and you must only look and never touch.

St. Vincent, "the critter capital of the Caribbean," is ringed by one long, almost continuous reef. The best dive spots are in the small bays along the western coast between Kingstown and Layou; many are within 20 yards of shore and only 20 to 30 feet down. Anchor Reef has excellent visibility for viewing a deep-black coral garden, schools of squid, sea horses, and maybe a small octopus. Critter Corner, just 600 feet off Indian Bay beach, is St. Vincent's hallmark "muck" dive site—a wealth of marine life lurks in and among the sand, silt, sea grass, and boulders. The Forest, a shallow dive, is still dramatic, with soft corals in pastel colors and schools of small fish. New Guinea Reef slopes to 90 feet and can't be matched for its quantity of corals and sponges. The pristine waters surrounding the Tobago Cays, in the southern Grenadines, will give you a world-class diving or snorkeling experience.

Dive Fantasea. On offer are dive and snorkeling trips along the St. Vincent coast and to the Tobago Cays. Villa Beach, Calliaqua, St. Vincent, VC0274. 784/457-4477.

Dive St. Vincent. The NAUI- and PADI-certified instructor Bill Tewes and his two certified dive masters offer beginner and certification courses for ages eight and up, advanced water excursions along the St. Vincent coast and to the southern Grenadines for diving connoisseurs, and an introductory scuba lesson for novices. Young Island Dock, Villa Beach, Calliaqua, St. Vincent. 784/457-4714 or 784/457-4928. www.divestvincent.com.

Indigo Dive. The dives here are tailored to match your experience level. St. Vincent Yacht Club, Blue Lagoon, Ratho Mill, Calliaqua, St. Vincent, VC0274. 784/493-9494. www.indigodive.com.

More Sports and Outdoors

• Bicycling
• Boating and Fishing
• Diving and Snorkeling

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