Purple Rain - Southwest Coast
Purple Rain is one of those sites we always come back to, a standout on Grenada’s Southwest Coast. It’s an intermediate dive, dropping from 10 to 25 metres, but it’s the sheer density of colour that gets us every time. The volcanic reef here is just smothered in purple and orange sponges, so thick they almost glow when the sun hits them right. We love drifting along, feeling the gentle surge, spotting Spotcheek Blennies peeking out from every crevice. Keep an eye out for Red Clingfish too – they blend in remarkably well, but once you train your eye, you’ll start seeing them everywhere. This site is pure macro joy, a kaleidoscope of sponges and tiny creatures. You’ll be searching for those elusive blennies and clingfish, or watching Glasseye Snapper dart through the vibrant corals. It’s perfect for divers who appreciate taking it slow, really soaking in the details, rather than chasing big pelagics.
- Location
- Southwest Coast, Grenada, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 12.010000, -61.775000
- Type
- reef
- Maximum Depth
- 10-25m
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
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
- 1 / 4 Wreck (Stern Courier) (wreck)
- 1 / 4 Wreck (Stern Courier) (reef)
- Anina (Wreck) (drift)
- Anina (Wreck) (wreck)
- BIANCA C - 48m (wreck)
- Bianca C (Wreck) (reef)
- Bianca C (Wreck) (wreck)
- Bianca C Wreck - 30-50m (wreck)
- Black Forest - Grenada (reef)
- Black Forest - Grenada (reef)
- Boss Reef (reef)
- Boss Reef (wreck)
- Boulder City - Grenada (reef)
- Boulder City - Grenada (reef)
- Buccaneer Molinere Bay (Wreck) (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Purple Rain
- Aquanauts Grenada - SSI, Diveheart
- Dive Grenada
- Sandals La Source - ["PADI"]
- Scuba West Indies - ["PADI"]
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
- Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
- Finger Coral (Porites porites) - Hard Corals
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
- Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
- Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
- Sammy Johnson (Scarus taeniopterus) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
- Blueman (Scarus vetula) - Reef Fish
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Fire coral (Millepora complanata) - Jellyfish
- Hamlet (Gymnothorax moringa) - Reef Fish
- Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
- Flamefish (Apogon maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Molly Miller (Labrisomus nuchipinnis) - Reef Fish
- Slippery Dick (Halichoeres bivittatus) - Reef Fish
- Devilfish (Ophioblennius atlanticus) - Reef Fish
- Lawyer (Halichoeres radiatus) - Reef Fish
- Greenblotch Parrotfish (Sparisoma atomarium) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Purple Rain
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