Diving in Sandy Island
Why dive here
Sandy Island offers some of Anguilla's richest diving, with 288+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, eagle rays, humpback whales and nurse sharks.
Sandy Island. It’s a tiny speck on the map, a postcard-perfect cay that feels like it’s just for you, and the diving here really capitalizes on that secluded vibe. We love how the reef slopes gently from the island, making for super relaxed dives where you can really take your time. You’ll spot plenty of coney and French grunt hanging out, plus the occasional Atlantic lookdown shimmering past. Our favourite part has to be the surprisingly healthy hard coral; the elkhorn formations are particularly impressive, especially considering some of the hurricane activity these islands have seen. Visibility is generally excellent, often pushing 30 meters, which lets you appreciate the sheer scale of the reef. We always see green turtles here, lazily munching on seagrass, and there are usually a few southern stingrays too. For something a little different, keep an eye out for the delicate hourglass basslet tucked into crevices - they're tiny but beautiful. The currents are typically mild, making it a great spot for newer divers or those who just want to chill out and observe. If you can time it, an early morning dive before the day boats arrive offers the quietest experience.
Sandy Island Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Sandy Island
Sandy Island Dive Sites
50 dive sites in Sandy Island
Baleine de Gros Ilet
Baleine de Gros Ilet, just off Sandy Island, is one of those sites we often recommend for a relaxed afternoon dive, especially if you're relatively new to the Caribbean. It’s a fairly shallow spot, topping out at 17 metres, mostly a sand bottom with scattered patch reefs. We’ve had some pleasant encounters here, often spotting southern stingrays cruising the sand, and we typically find a good number of garden eels poking their heads out. It’s a comfortable, easy dive, perfect for getting back into the swing of things or for those who prefer to take it slow.
Banc Médée
Banc Médée, just off Sandy Island, is a really mellow spot, perfect if you’re new to diving or just want a relaxed afternoon in shallow water. It’s a low-profile pinnacle, topping out at just 7 meters, surrounded by bright sand. We’ve drifted over here and seen plenty of juveniles tucked into the crevices, plus a few barracuda often hang out, looking like they’re waiting for something interesting to happen. The light is fantastic at this depth, spilling over the reef. It’s a good one for practicing buoyancy or just enjoying the gentle sway of the Caribbean.
Basse Espagnole
Basse Espagnole, tucked near Sandy Island, is a reliable shallow dive, perfect if you’re looking for a relaxed afternoon. The reef plateaus around 14 meters, making it an excellent spot for newer divers or those who prefer to stretch their bottom time. We’ve drifted along its sandy patches, dotted with brain corals and sea fans, often spotting queen angelfish and the occasional parrotfish grazing the corals. It’s not a dramatic wall or a pelagic hotspot, but for a gentle introduction to Anguilla's underwater world, or a second dive, it absolutely hits the mark.
Carib Cargo (Wreck)
Carib Cargo is one of those wrecks we always make time for when we're in Anguilla. It’s a purposeful sinking, which we generally prefer for its diver-friendly layout, and it sits upright at a comfortable 20 metres. You can swim right through the cargo hold, which is a big, open space – perfect for less experienced wreck divers to get a feel for overhead environments without much anxiety. What we really love is how much has grown on it over the years. The deck is carpeted in soft corals, purple sea fans waving gently, and you’ll find schools of snapper and grunt sheltering everywhere. Look closely and you’ll often spot a big green moray peering out from a pipe or under the bow. It’s a genuinely relaxed dive, and if you hit it in the morning before the day boats get too busy, the light filtering through the hold is just beautiful. We always suggest bringing a torch, even though it's shallow; it really brings out the colours on the corals.
CATHELEY H
The Catheley H isn't some ancient galleon, but we love it for its unintended drama. Sunk in 1993, this motor vessel was actually meant for scuttling but decided to catch fire and go down on its own terms. It’s a shallow dive, just 13 metres, which makes it perfect for a long bottom time, easy navigation, and great light penetration. What you get is a really approachable wreck, lying upright and mostly intact on a sandy seabed. Sunlight dapples through the superstructure, illuminating schools of tiny silversides that shimmer around the bow. Our favourite part is the engine room, easily accessible, where you'll often find a shy moray eel peeking from a pipe. Look closely and you'll spot sergeant majors defending their purple egg patches on the hull, while schools of snapper drift lazily overhead. It’s a fantastic site for newer wreck divers or those who just want a relaxed dive with a bit of history and plenty of fish.
Caye verte
Caye Verte, off Sandy Island, is a straightforward reef dive, topping out at 17 meters. It's a good choice for newer divers looking for an easy drift over coral and sand patches. You'll often find a decent variety of smaller reef fish here, along with the occasional turtle cruising by. We'd suggest it for a relaxed second dive.
Charly shoal
Charly Shoal, off Sandy Island, is a good entry-level reef dive at a consistent 17 meters. We often find nurse sharks resting in the sand patches between the coral heads, and there are usually plenty of snapper and grunt milling about. It’s a pretty relaxed site, ideal for newer divers looking for an easy profile and a decent chance of seeing some larger reef residents.
Chico 1
Chico 1 is a straightforward sandy dive at 19m near Sandy Island. Expect to find a flat bottom, good for spotting the smaller, camouflaged creatures that hide on the sand. This is a nice, relaxed site if you’re newer to diving, or just want an easy second dive, with a chance to practice buoyancy.
Chico 2
Chico 2 sits off Sandy Island, a sandy patch at 19m, perfect for an intermediate dive. We generally find a good range of reef fish here. It’s a solid choice when you want a straightforward dive without strong currents.
Chico 3
Chico 3 sits in the sand flats off Sandy Island, a straightforward dive to 19m. It’s mostly sand, but you’ll often spot stingrays cruising by or buried in the substrate, along with garden eels popping up from their burrows. We find it’s a calm, easy drift, perfect for beginners looking to get comfortable or for a relaxed second dive. Visibility is usually good here.
Circus
Circus, off Sandy Island, sits on a flat sandy bottom at 18m. It’s an intermediate dive, often quite relaxed, with plenty of room to explore. We typically find stingrays camouflaged in the sand, garden eels swaying in the gentle current, and occasionally some smaller reef fish passing through. It’s a good spot for divers who enjoy a slower pace and want to practice their buoyancy over sand.
Coralita
Coralita, off Sandy Island, sits at a gentle 17m, making it ideal for new divers or those looking for a relaxed afternoon. The reef structure here is fairly consistent, with scattered coral heads attracting schools of small reef fish. We often spot snapper and grunt hugging the bottom. It’s a pleasant, easy dive, offering a good introduction to Anguilla’s quieter sites.
Sandy Island Dive Centres
9 dive shops and operators in Sandy Island
Ocean Wildlife in Sandy Island
288 species recorded in Sandy Island
Sandy Island Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Sandy Island, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:57
Sunset
18:34
Daylight
12h 36m
Golden Hour
18:05
First light (dawn) at 05:35 · Last light (dusk) at 18:56
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:47 | 17:56 | 11h 9m |
| Feb | 06:41 | 18:14 | 11h 33m |
| Mar | 06:22 | 18:22 | 12h 0m |
| Apr | 05:57 | 18:29 | 12h 32m |
| May | 05:40 | 18:38 | 12h 58m |
| JunLongest | 05:37 | 18:49 | 13h 12m |
| Jul | 05:45 | 18:52 | 13h 7m |
| AugNow | 05:55 | 18:41 | 12h 46m |
| Sep | 06:01 | 18:17 | 12h 16m |
| Oct | 06:06 | 17:52 | 11h 46m |
| Nov | 06:18 | 17:37 | 11h 18m |
| DecShortest | 06:36 | 17:39 | 11h 3m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Sandy Island.
Where to Stay near Sandy Island
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Marine Protected Areas near Sandy Island
7 protected areas near Sandy Island - please respect local regulations when diving
Prickly Pear Cays and Seal Island Reefs
Shoal Bay and Island Harbour Reefs
Sombrero Island Nature Reserve
Sombrero Island Nature Reserve Marine Park
Dog Island
Sandy Island
Little Bay
Getting to Sandy Island
Grand Case
Sint Maarten
Basseterre
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