Ship’s Stern

Best months: Jan–Apr

Protected Area

Big Cay Wildlife Reserve

Why dive here

With 267+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, humpback whales, nurse sharks, orcas and sea turtles - Ship’s Stern offers some of St. Vincent's richest drift diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.

Best timeJan–Apr

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeDolphins, Humpback Whales, Nurse Sharks, Orcas and Sea Turtles · 267+ species recorded

Water27-30°C · warmest August, September, October

CharacterDrift dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Ship's Stern feels like a secret garden, a sloping reef that gently descends to the sand at about 15 metres. We love the way the light filters through the whip corals and gorgonian forest, creating these shifting patterns on the reef. It’s a site for slow, deliberate diving, peering into every crevice. We’ve found spiny lobsters tucked into the overhangs, and more than once, a curious spotted moray poking its head out. Visibility here averages around 18 metres, clear enough to appreciate the details – those iridescent vase corals and sponges really pop. Keep an eye out for the small stuff, too; we’ve spotted tiny lofty triplefins clinging to the reef and goldline blennies peeking from their holes. Schools of French grunts and brown chromis often swirl around the coral formations, a constant, gentle motion. This is our pick for divers who enjoy taking their time, exploring the macro life and the quiet beauty of a healthy Caribbean reef. It’s not about big pelagics, it’s about the intricate details of a vibrant ecosystem.