The diverse - and rarely seen - marine life of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a genuine beacon for diving enthusiasts of all experience levels.

Located just 1,500 miles southeast of Miami, the 32 southern Caribbean islands offer great diving for those on budgets and a myriad of activities for the après-dive scene.

Read on for more with TripAtlas.com as we take you to get a closer look at diving in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Critter Capital of the Caribbean

Due to its volcanic origins, the main island of St. Vincent is blessed with breathtaking underwater topography and is also renowned as the "Critter Capital of the Caribbean."

Dive St. Vincent and Mariners Hotel in St. Vincent beckon cost-conscious travellers to explore this diver's mecca with their enhanced packages featuring special savings of almost $100 per diver through fall and winter seasons. 

Learn to Scuba Dive: Dive St. Vincent is the only dive shop in St. Vincent and the Grenadines that specializes in critters. In fact, the owner and PADI & NAUI certified instructor, Bill Tewes, is the very person who put St. Vincent on the critter diving map of the world.   Joining Bill and two NAUI certified dive masters who offer full certification courses for ages eight and up, advanced open water excursions for diving connoisseurs, and the introductory "learn to scuba dive" lesson for novices.  For more information, visit www.DiveStVincent.com.

Mariners Hotel is a beachfront boutique property, situated on the pristine Villa Beach. Its 21 guest rooms that are decorated in vibrant Caribbean colors all feature private balconies and air-conditioning. Following a strenuous day of diving, the French Verandah Restaurant, conveniently located on the property of Mariners Hotel, serves superb French cuisine with Caribbean flair. For more information, visit www.marinershotel.com.

Diving in St Vincent and the Grenadines

The towering La Soufrière volcano at 4,048 ft. dictates much of what divers will find on St. Vincent, both above and below the waterline.

The fine black-sand beaches are actually the remnants of past volcanic upheavals, and the sheer cliffs extending below the water offer spectacular wall diving. The rugged, steeply-rising shoreline precludes shore diving and preserves the health of the surrounding reefs, and the sheer depth of the reefs protects them from damage by the anchors of yachts and dive boats.  Further evidence of the robust health of the reefs is the abundance of black coral at relatively shallow depths. 

Most diving on St. Vincent takes place on the sheltered west and south coasts of the island, where currents are gentle, the surface is usually calm, and impressive walls offer sweeping underwater vistas.

Non-diving activities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Divers are advised to allocate 24 hours between diving and flying.  For this "dry day," St. Vincent boasts a myriad of activities. 

The culturally curious will enjoy visiting the oldest Botanical Gardens in the Western Hemisphere; admiring the blend of Moorish, Romanesque and Georgian architectural styles at St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral; or joining local Vincentians at the Market Square, overflowing with fresh produce, fruit and meats. 

Outdoor enthusiasts might quest for a rare glimpse of the Vincy parrot at Vermont Nature Trails; hike to the 40-foot Trinity Falls deep in the Vincentian jungle; or climb the imposing La Soufrière volcano. The charming neighboring island of Bequia makes a perfect day trip. Just a one-hour ferry ride from St. Vincent, this cultural enclave boasts three family-run model boat shops and the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, where owner "Brother" Orton King nurtures endangered hawksbill turtles back to health.

For more information on St. Vincent and the Grenadines, please visit www.svgtourism.com.

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