Rock Garden, Carriacou

Best months: Jan–Apr

Protected Area

Sandy Island-Oyster Bay

Why dive here

With 292+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, humpback whales, nurse sharks and orcas - Rock Garden, Carriacou offers some of Carriacou's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.

Best timeJan–Apr

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Dolphins, Humpback Whales, Nurse Sharks and Orcas · 292+ species recorded

Water27-30°C · warmest August, September, October

CharacterReef dive · max 5-18m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The Rock Garden is one of those spots we love for an easy, unhurried dive, especially if you’ve had a few days battling current elsewhere. It’s a shallow site, topping out around 16 metres, which makes it perfect for longer bottom times and really soaking in the details. You'll start near the Whirlpool, which adds a bit of fun before you settle into the site proper, heading east along the back of Mabouya Island. What makes it special for us is the sheer amount of life packed into its varied landscape – a mix of coral heads, sandy patches, and those distinctive rock formations. We often find stingrays nestled in the sand, their outlines barely visible until they shift. Keep an eye on the turtle grass beds for green turtles munching away, and definitely peer into every crevice; it’s a hotspot for octopuses and those slightly unnerving snake eels. We've seen some fantastic juvenile fish here too – tiny parrotfish and damselfish flitting about, alongside the more common sergeant-majors and slippery dicks. Visibility hovers around 16 metres, usually offering clear enough views without being stark. It’s a genuinely relaxing dive, ideal for photographers or anyone who just wants to take their time exploring.