Northern Exposure - Southwest Coast

The Rena wreck off the coast of Tauranga is less a single dive and more a collection of scattered pieces, a poignant reminder of its dramatic grounding. We’ve found the stern section to be the most interesting, sitting relatively upright in around 22 metres. You’ll see how the ocean has already started to claim it, with gorgonian fans and colourful sponges taking hold on the metal. Schools of snapper and trevally often swirl around the superstructure, while bronze whalers sometimes cruise past in the blue. Our favourite time to dive here is on a slack tide, otherwise, the currents can make it a real workout. Visibility averages around 10 metres, so it’s not always gin-clear, but when it’s good, the sheer scale of the wreck pieces is impressive. Exploring the various debris fields gives you a real sense of the ship’s destruction. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and how quickly marine life can adapt, rather than for exploring intact interiors.

Location
Southwest Coast, Grenada, Caribbean
Coordinates
12.046600, -61.776700
Type
wreck

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 Northern Exposure

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 Northern Exposure

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