1 / 4 Wreck (Stern Courier) - Southwest Coast

The 1/4 Wreck, or Stern Courier, is our pick for a chill afternoon dive on Grenada’s southwest coast. It’s not about big swim-throughs here. This is the Courier’s stern section, tossed upside down at 11 metres, a jumble of hull plates and engine block. We love drifting over it, tracing the lines of the collapsed metal, finding a chain moray peeking from a dark crevice or a red clingfish tucked into the coral that’s steadily reclaiming the wreck. Visibility often hangs around 16 metres, which gives you plenty of time to hunt for the smaller stuff. We’ve found spinyhead blennies and dusky blennies in the nooks and crannies, and once, a tiny seahorse clinging to soft coral. It’s a gentle exploration, perfect for divers who prefer macro life and history over deep penetration. Come here late afternoon when the light shifts, it makes the colours pop.

Location
Southwest Coast, Grenada, Caribbean
Coordinates
12.026600, -61.781300
Type
wreck

Wreck History - 1 / 4 Wreck (Stern Courier)

Year Sunk
1993
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
storm

The Courier was an inter-island cargo vessel that served the communities of the Caribbean, transporting goods and supplies between ports. Her career came to an abrupt end in 1993 when a powerful storm drove her onto the reef off the southwest coast of Grenada. The relentless waves broke the ship apart, scattering her remains across the sea floor. Today, the Courier exists as several distinct dive sites, with this one being the stern section.

Known as the '1/4 Wreck,' this site is an excellent introduction to wreck diving. Lying upside down in just 35 feet (11 meters) of water, the stern is easily accessible to divers of all levels. The surrounding area is a testament to the storm's power, with the massive engine block and large hull plates strewn about the sand and coral. Over the years, the wreckage has been transformed into a thriving artificial reef, providing shelter for a vibrant community of fish, moray eels, and crustaceans, making it a lively and fascinating shallow dive.

Marine Protected Area: Grand Anse

Best Time to Dive in Southwest Coast

The warmest water temperatures in Southwest Coast occur in January, averaging 27.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.4°C (air: 25.9°C)
  • February: 27.4°C (air: 26.0°C)
  • March: 27.4°C (air: 26.2°C)
  • April: 27.4°C (air: 26.9°C)
  • May: 27.4°C (air: 27.5°C)
  • June: 27.4°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • July: 27.4°C (air: 27.2°C)
  • August: 27.4°C (air: 27.6°C)
  • September: 27.4°C (air: 28.3°C)
  • October: 27.4°C (air: 28.0°C)
  • November: 27.4°C (air: 27.1°C)
  • December: 27.4°C (air: 26.5°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Southwest Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to 1 / 4 Wreck (Stern Courier)

Marine Life in Southwest Coast

Home to 267 recorded species including 231 reef fish, 13 hard corals, 10 whales & dolphins, 3 seagrass & algae, 2 jellyfish, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for 1 / 4 Wreck (Stern Courier)

Based on average water temperature of 27.4°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