Ship’s Stern - St. Vincent

Tokyo Drift. The name itself suggests motion, and that's exactly what you get here in Tofo. We love dropping in and letting the current do the work, carrying us over a patchwork of coral and rock formations. You'll want to keep your eyes peeled for the smaller stuff flitting about – Natal sergeants always seem to be dancing, and those sunburst butterflyfish really do catch the light. It’s a site for those who enjoy a good drift, a chance to really cover some ground and see what pops up next. Our favourite spots are the cleaning stations; if you’re patient and don't fidget too much, you might just catch a glimpse of a leopard shark or even a manta ray gliding in for a scrub. Visibility averages around 14 metres, which is usually enough to spot a loggerhead turtle cruising past, looking completely unbothered by the drift. This site suits divers who are comfortable with currents and appreciate a relaxed, observational dive.

Location
St. Vincent, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Caribbean
Coordinates
12.995600, -61.267100
Type
drift

Marine Protected Area: Big Cay Wildlife Reserve

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

Nearest Dive Centres to Ship’s Stern

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

Recommended Packing List for Ship’s Stern

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth range for diving the Ship's Stern dive site?
The Ship's Stern dive site offers a maximum depth of 17m-18m (60ft). Divers will explore a sloping colourful reef that meets the sand at approximately 15m (50ft), providing ample opportunities for exploration within this range.
What kind of marine life and wreck features can divers expect to see at the Ship's Stern dive site?
At the Ship's Stern, divers can expect to encounter a vibrant array of marine life, including spiny lobster, spanish lobster, and spotted moray hiding in nooks. Schools of french grunts and brown chromis swirl around iridescent vase corals and sponges, while solo blue tangs, cowfish, trunkfish, and porcupinefish swim over the reef. The site features a sloping colourful reef with a whip coral and gorgonian forest, but no wreck features are present. For more on marine species, visit our wildlife database.
How challenging is diving the Ship's Stern, and what level of diving experience is recommended?
Diving the Ship's Stern is considered an intermediate-level dive, primarily due to its drift diving nature. Divers should be comfortable with currents and possess the necessary skills for a relaxed drift experience. This site is ideal for certified divers looking to enjoy a gentle drift along a vibrant reef.
What are the best times of year or specific conditions to dive the Ship's Stern for optimal visibility and marine encounters?
The provided data does not specify the best times of year for optimal visibility or marine encounters at Ship's Stern. However, the site boasts an average visibility of 18m, suggesting generally good conditions for diving. For more general information on when to dive in the region, you can visit our When to Dive section.
What scuba diving certifications are required or highly recommended to dive the Ship's Stern, especially if considering wreck penetration?
While specific certification requirements are not listed, given the intermediate difficulty and drift dive type, an Open Water Diver certification is generally sufficient, though an Advanced Open Water certification would enhance comfort and skill. It's important to note that Ship's Stern is a reef dive and does not feature any wrecks, so wreck penetration certifications are not applicable here.
What are the typical current conditions and visibility like at the Ship's Stern dive site?
The Ship's Stern is characterized as a drift dive, indicating the presence of typical current conditions that allow for a gentle drift along the reef. Divers can also anticipate excellent visibility, with an average of 18m (60ft), providing clear views of the vibrant marine life and coral formations.