Gingers Backside - Salt Island & Cooper Island

Larikai Point offers a relaxed wall dive right off St. Vincent. We begin shallow, maybe five or six metres, with plenty of gorgonians swaying in the gentle surge. The wall itself drops to around 14 metres, and it’s a good spot for spotting some of the smaller, interesting residents – we’ve seen Shark Nose Gobies poking out from crevices and Stippled Clingfish clinging to the rocks. Visibility here can vary, averaging about five metres, so it’s more about the macro life and colourful coral mosaics than sweeping vistas. It’s a solid choice for an easy afternoon dive, especially if you’re looking for a relaxed pace.

Location
Salt Island & Cooper Island, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean
Coordinates
18.389000, -64.485600
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
5-18m

Marine Protected Area: Ginger Island

Best Time to Dive in Salt Island & Cooper Island

The warmest water temperatures in Salt Island & Cooper Island occur in January, averaging 27.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.1°C (air: 25.5°C)
  • February: 27.1°C (air: 25.1°C)
  • March: 27.1°C (air: 25.2°C)
  • April: 27.1°C (air: 25.7°C)
  • May: 27.1°C (air: 26.8°C)
  • June: 27.1°C (air: 27.6°C)
  • July: 27.1°C (air: 27.8°C)
  • August: 27.1°C (air: 28.1°C)
  • September: 27.1°C (air: 28.3°C)
  • October: 27.1°C (air: 28.0°C)
  • November: 27.1°C (air: 27.1°C)
  • December: 27.1°C (air: 26.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Salt Island & Cooper Island

Nearest Dive Centres to Gingers Backside

Marine Life in Salt Island & Cooper Island

Home to 504 recorded species including 410 reef fish, 39 hard corals, 13 sharks & rays, 9 other, 7 whales & dolphins, 6 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Gingers Backside

Based on average water temperature of 27.1°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical diving depth at Gingers Backside?
The typical diving depth at Gingers Backside ranges from 5 to 18 meters (approximately 15 to 60 feet). Divers can explore a huge, healthy coral reef that starts at about 15 feet and slopes down to a sandy bottom at around 60 feet. This site offers a great opportunity to enjoy both shallow reef areas and deeper sand structures.
What kind of marine life and coral can divers expect to see at Gingers Backside?
At Gingers Backside, divers can expect to see a huge, healthy coral reef that runs the length of Ginger Island. Marine life sightings include sharks cruising the reef's edge and turtles enjoying the shallower areas. This site provides an excellent opportunity to observe diverse reef structures and its inhabitants.
How difficult is the diving at Gingers Backside, and is it suitable for beginner divers?
The diving at Gingers Backside is rated as intermediate difficulty. While the site is almost always flat and calm, providing a restful location, its intermediate rating suggests it might be more suitable for divers with some experience rather than absolute beginners. Divers should have appropriate training and comfort levels for this type of dive.
What is the best time of year or conditions to dive at Gingers Backside?
Gingers Backside is almost always flat and calm, making it a consistently pleasant dive site. With an average visibility of 19 meters, conditions are generally excellent for diving. For more general information on optimal diving periods in the region, you can visit our When to Dive section.
Are there any specific diving certifications required to dive at Gingers Backside?
The provided data does not specify any particular diving certifications required for Gingers Backside beyond standard open water certification. However, given its intermediate difficulty rating and maximum depth of 18 meters, divers should be comfortable with their skills and potentially have advanced training for deeper exploration within the site's limits. Always consult with your dive operator regarding their specific requirements.
What are the usual current and swell conditions like at Gingers Backside?
The usual conditions at Gingers Backside are remarkably calm. Located on the north side of Ginger Island, this site is almost always flat and calm, making it an ideal spot for relaxed dives and surface intervals. Divers can generally expect very little current or swell, contributing to a comfortable diving experience.