St Kitts Scuba Diving Sites
Auston has been diving in St Kitts for over 30 years and knows many dive sites. Here, we feature, some of our most popular sites.
We have access to a great mix of Reefs and Wrecks with depths from 40 – 130 feet (12 – 40 meters)
In addition to what we show here, we have many other dive sites, most are known as “Austons Reef”.
Depth 40 ft (12m)
Sunk in 1981 in a hurricane, the RIVER TAW quickly became a popular stop for divers of all experience levels. This inter-island cargo ship lies on a flat, sandy bottom close to Fort Tyson. Octopus, stingrays and turtles have taken up residence in the many holes and passages. Lobsters and an abundance of fish life are an attraction. This is a great site for photographers.
Depth 45-130ft (15-40m)
The home of our popular “Reggae Shark Dive” Brimstone Shallows is approximately two miles offshore and boasts soft and hard pristine corals.
There are sloping walls on both sides of the reef. Caribbean Grey Reef Sharks populate this reef and on most dives will come and “check out” the divers in the water, fascinating to watch as they calmly swim around us.
This is a great dive as the sharks here are not aggressive.
Schools of Creole wrasse are common. Barracuda, Turtles, Lobsters and Eels also reside here.
Depth 40-60 ft (12-15m)
This is a terrific old freighter that found its demise due to a nasty hurricane in 1983. The Talata rests on a reef, is well broken up and sits in a long line. Part of the bows and the stern are still good, along with engine blocks and lots of steel plating. Speckled Morays are numerous and will pop up like “Whack-A-Moles” everywhere.
There is a second, wreck laying on a wall, quite close to the Talata. This small wreck has no name and no history that we know of.
Depth 70-130ft (20-40m)
Stretching out like a finger, this dive site just has the feel of excitement the moment you hit the water and look down. A ridge beckons from both sides as you swim along the top of the reef at about 70-80ft.
Schools of creole wrasse, jacks and mackerel envelope you from the deep blue and what lies within. Reef sharks are also common here
Depth 40-80ft (12-25m)
Coconut Tree Rocks is a typical reef dive for this area, with an abundance of small fish, such as grunts, snapper and small groupers.
A common ground for barracuda and spotted moray as well as lobsters and rays. The corals are in good condition and are highlighted by the many sand grottos spread throughout the reef.
Depth 40-50ft (12-15m)
Friars Bay reef is a favorite dive for every diver.
Located about a mile from the shoreline, it has become a popular site for many and will always provide a nice easy reef dive with plenty to see. Juvenile angelfish abound, as do big lobsters and spotted morays.
Stingrays have found home in the sand along the edges of the reef and seem undisturbed by the curious diver.
Depth 50-80ft (15-30m)
The attractions here are the majestic black coral trees, which protrude from this mini wall. Creole wrasse and snapper frequent the wall’s edge and lizardfish are always threatening to spoil the peacefulness by stalking the many grunt fish, which are common here.
A very healthy reef that is full of surprises..
Depth 40-70ft (12-20m)
Located approximately ¾ of a mile off Frigate Bay beach. Turtles, lobsters and eels call this home and in so doing have made this site particularly popular with newly certified and experienced alike.
A very narrow reef which is almost custom-made for those who enjoy multi-level diving.
How we plan our dive sites
We base our decision on weather, visibility and the experience of the divers we have with us.
We always dive two different sites and are happy for our divers to request a particular site.
Depth 45-80ft ft (14-25m)
A reef structure, which is abundant with tube sponges, barrel sponges, large sea fans and black coral trees. Angelfish, small grouper and dogtooth snapper are to be seen.
Lobsters are again ever present due to the many cracks and crevices that Green Point offers. The underwater architecture here is very volcanic with few hard corals..
Depth 30-40ft (10-12m)
Located in a bay on the southern part of St Kitts. The depth allows for long bottom times. Visibility can be variable, especially after rain. This reef is a maze of volcanic rock with schools of fish at every turn.
Depth 30-60 ft (10-12m)
Located on the southern most tip of the island of St Kitts. Nags Head is a battered rock formation, which has fallen into the ocean and formed a mini-wall, perfect for all kinds of critters.
Large volcanic boulders covered in fire coral and sponge fill the bottom. Plump, black sea urchins can be seen, menacingly hiding amongst the cracks. Eagle rays, which feed on the nearby grass beds, can sometimes be seen gliding down the wall.
Depth 40-70ft (12-25m)
The Monkey Shoals is an atoll of coral about 1 mile square, located directly between the sister islands of St Kitts and Nevis.
This reef structure lies approximately three miles offshore, which allows for excellent visibility and increased fish life. Currents and wind can, at times, be a concern and prevent us from diving this site.
Depth 40-70ft (12-20m)
A short boat ride from our dive center, “The Vents” boast large barrel sponges, fire coral and hot water vents holes that make this a most unusual dive.
This reef has a vast abundance of marine life and close by is a second, very pretty reef.
Depth 45-80ft (13-25m)
Harbour is a circular reef small enough to swim all the way round in a single dive. Lots of marine life here. Shoals of smaller fish are to be seen everywhere. A good site for seeing octopus and speckled moray eels. We usually find large southern stingrays on the sandy seabed around the reef.
Depth 50-140ft (14-40m)
Located in Old Road Bay, this reef and mini wall has lots of interest including old anchors, barracudas, turtles, lobsters, angelfish, rays and eels, just to name a few.
The corals here are in good condition and the visibility is usually excellent.
This is a super dive site for divers of all levels.
Depth 50-130ft (15-40m)
Sandy Point is located close to shore and has coral formations that form deep canyons and swim-thrus.
The reef is in good condition and fish of all kinds are abundant.
Unfortunately, the proximity to shore can mean visibility is variable.
The journey time means this is a reef we rarely visit.
Depth 40-70ft (12-20m)
An excellent reef dive, Camps Reef is located close to shore and has volcanic formations that form deep crevices. The reef is in good condition and fish of all kinds are abundant.
Good site for lobster and eels, usually stingrays in the sand.
Depth 50-130ft (15-40m)
Part of the Brimstone Shallows reef system, this is named because the mooring here is attached to a huge piece of volcanic rock.
It is here we find the Caribbean grey reef shark, along with schools of horse eye jacks and large shoals of creole wrasse. Gently sloping walls with deep water on both sides mean an abundance of marine life.
Depth 50-70ft (15-20m)
The wreck of the Corinthian is a completely intact tug boat that sits totally upright in the sand. The wreck sank in 1995. Nothing is known of this wreck’s history.
Next to the wreck is a reef with a depth of less than 40 ft.
