North-West Point - St. Vincent
Richmond Beach is a pleasant surprise. Forget the typical Caribbean wide-angle show; this is a macro lover's delight, a real slow-dive spot. From the moment you slip in from shore, just ten metres out, you’re in a different world. We’re talking about a maximum depth of 16m, but don't let that fool you. The coral formations here are impressive, almost sculpted, layered with soft corals, gorgonians, and sponges that really pop with colour even when the visibility averages around 6m. We love spending time in these nooks and crannies. You’ll find Pearl Blennies poking their heads out, Stippled Clingfish clinging to the reef, and if you’re patient, a Saddle Stargazer buried in the sand, just its eyes peeking out. Keep an eye out for Spitlure Frogfish camouflaged amongst the sponges. It’s an easy dive, perfect for photographers wanting to spend time with their subjects, or anyone who enjoys taking things slow and really observing the smaller details.
- Location
- St. Vincent, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 13.017800, -61.248900
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Bequia Marine Conservation Area
Best Time to Dive in St. Vincent
The warmest water temperatures in St. Vincent occur in January, averaging 27.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.8°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 27.8°C (air: 25.7°C)
- February: 27.8°C (air: 25.8°C)
- March: 27.8°C (air: 26.1°C)
- April: 27.8°C (air: 26.8°C)
- May: 27.8°C (air: 27.5°C)
- June: 27.8°C (air: 27.4°C)
- July: 27.8°C (air: 27.3°C)
- August: 27.8°C (air: 27.6°C)
- September: 27.8°C (air: 28.2°C)
- October: 27.8°C (air: 27.9°C)
- November: 27.8°C (air: 27.0°C)
- December: 27.8°C (air: 26.4°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in St. Vincent
- Almond Tree (cenote)
- Almond Tree (drift)
- Anchor Reef - 5-18m (reef)
- Bequia Head (drift)
- Bequia Head (drift)
- BOSCO - 18m (wreck)
- Brown’s Bay (drift)
- Brown’s Bay (reef)
- Cathedral (wall)
- Coral Nursery (reef)
- Deep Boulders (reef)
- Devil's Table + dinghy mooring - 10-25m (pinnacle)
- ELIZABETH BOYE - 15m (wreck)
- Flat Rock (cave)
- LADY ANGELA - 0m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to North-West Point
Marine Life in St. Vincent
Home to 271 recorded species including 237 reef fish, 10 hard corals, 7 whales & dolphins, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 seagrass & algae, 3 sharks & rays.
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
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
- Blueman (Scarus vetula) - Reef Fish
- Flamefish (Apogon maculatus) - Reef Fish
- Orca (Orcinus orca) - Whales & Dolphins
- Fire coral (Millepora complanata) - Jellyfish
- Hamlet (Gymnothorax moringa) - Reef Fish
- Devilfish (Ophioblennius atlanticus) - Reef Fish
- Slippery Dick (Halichoeres bivittatus) - Reef Fish
- Molly Miller (Labrisomus nuchipinnis) - Reef Fish
- Yellowhead Wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for North-West Point
Based on average water temperature of 27.8°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°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