Coconut Tree Reef - St. Kitts

Coconut Tree Reef is a proper delight, especially for anyone just getting their fins wet in St. Kitts. We love how shallow it is, topping out at a modest 12 metres, which means you get heaps of bottom time to really soak it all in. The sun just beams down, illuminating these big, broad elkhorn coral formations, making them glow with an almost golden light. Keep your eyes peeled for the Atlantic yellow cowries; they’re often tucked into crevices, looking like polished jewels. We often see spotted trunkfish here, sort of waddling along, and the blue parrotfish are always busy crunching on the reef. It’s a gentle drift, usually, but sometimes you’ll get a slight push that just carries you along over the corals. Our favourite time to dive it is mid-morning, just after the sun has properly risen but before the heat of the day really sets in, when the light is still a bit soft. This site is perfect for beginners, or frankly, anyone who enjoys a relaxed, colourful dive without any fuss.

Location: St. Kitts, St. Kitts & Nevis, Caribbean
Coordinates: 17.310000, -62.750000
Type: reef
Maximum Depth: 3-12m
Difficulty: Beginner

Marine Protected Area: St Marys

Best Time to Dive in St. Kitts

The warmest water temperatures in St. Kitts 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: 25.1°C)
February: 27.1°C (air: 24.8°C)
March: 27.1°C (air: 25.1°C)
April: 27.1°C (air: 25.7°C)
May: 27.1°C (air: 26.9°C)
June: 27.1°C (air: 27.6°C)
July: 27.1°C (air: 27.6°C)
August: 27.1°C (air: 27.9°C)
September: 27.1°C (air: 27.9°C)
October: 27.1°C (air: 27.6°C)
November: 27.1°C (air: 26.8°C)
December: 27.1°C (air: 25.9°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to Coconut Tree Reef

Marine Life in St. Kitts

Home to 393 recorded species including 318 reef fish, 27 hard corals, 11 other, 7 whales & dolphins, 7 sharks & rays, 6 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species

Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
Lettuce Coral (Agaricia agaricites) - Hard Corals
Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
Grooved brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis) - Hard Corals
Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophyllia natans) - Hard Corals
Sammy Johnson (Scarus taeniopterus) - Reef Fish
Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus) - Reef Fish
Blackfish (Melichthys niger) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Hogfish (Bodianus rufus) - Reef Fish
Angelfish (Holacanthus tricolor) - Reef Fish
Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Coconut Tree Reef

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