Grenada: Are Conservation Festivals the Future of Diving Ecotourism?

There was a time, not long ago, when the Caribbean boasted so much elkhorn and staghorn coral you could see its golden reflection while flying overhead. Today, these species are functionally extinct around many of the islands, as viable stands have been lost to climate change, disease and ecological imbalance.

When diving in Grenada, a stunning, lush oasis and the wreck diving capital of the Caribbean, it can be easy to ignore this sobering reality. But marine biologist and Grenada Coral Reef Foundation’s Coral Nursery Coordinator Denzel Adams doesn’t want to forget. He has a mission, and on the day we met, an eager audience: a group of volunteers from Grenada’s second annual Dive & Conservation Festival (DCF), each one ready to help him clean the Foundation’s growing coral fragments of debris, algae and polyp-eating snails. If all goes well, Adams and his team will eventually plant the juvenile coral on a carefully selected section of reef to restore the lost population.

A collaboration between the Grenada Tourism Authority and the Grenada Scuba Diving Association, along with conservation-minded groups and businesses such as Aquanauts Grenada, Sustainable Ocean Alliance and Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, DCF has a greater purpose than attracting divers to one of the Caribbean’s top scuba destinations. The festival aims to raise awareness of marine conservation issues such as coral loss and restoration while teaching solutions and incorporating hands-on ecotourism activities, a movement that has grown increasingly popular within the diving community in recent years.

Related Reading: Smoke Show: Where to Dive Top Coral Spawn Events

“Because divers have the unique capability to see the impacts of climate change first-hand, we believe they have an innate drive to engage in conservation efforts so they can continue to explore the beauty of the underwater world,” says Tiffany Geer, Event Coordinator for DCF and co-owner of Aquanauts Grenada.

“This experience often sparks a desire to protect these environments,” adds Kirpa Kaur Grewal, Community Partnership Manager for DCF and Ocean Youth Leader for Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) Caribbean Hub. “Divers have a responsibility to contribute to conservation work, as they can act as ambassadors for the oceans, promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness about the importance of preserving our marine life.”

In that spirit, the 2023 festival, which took place from May 29 - June 5, leaned into voluntourism opportunities that offered educational experiences while shining a spotlight on the passionate individuals and organizations that are making a massive impact on Grenada’s environmental well-being.

Related Reading: The Invisible Ocean: A Dive Into the World of Microscopic Marine Life

During the week-long event, attendees participated in a beach clean-up, monitored endangered leatherback turtle nests with Ocean Spirits, explored the famous underwater sculpture park (made with pH neutral cement that allows coral polyps to attach) with Dive Grenada, went bird watching and enjoyed a sunset cruise with Savvy Sailing, a handmade wooden sloop charter company run by local boat builders and fishermen. One particularly memorable day began with a lesson in hunting invasive lionfish with a Hawaiin sling, topped off with fresh lionfish tacos. (More experienced marksmen had gone out the day before to ensure no one went hungry).

Next year, DCF 2024 will move to October to allow local Grenadian students to get involved through a new school program. The festival will also expand to a multi-week event to further highlight the conservation efforts happening throughout the country, including on Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

“We want to make a lasting positive impact for the local community of Grenada and inspire people to protect our beautiful planet,” says Geer.

Related Reading: Florida Keys Lionfish Derby Winners Bring in Record-Breaking 426 Invasive Fish

Inspired to attend a diving conservation festival? Check out these events coming up this year.

Dive Fest in Dominica – July 2023

St Lucia Dive Festival at Anse Chastanet in Soufriere, Saint Lucia – September 16-23, 2023

REEF Fest in Key Largo, Florida – October 19-22, 2023

Need to Know About Grenada

Grenada offers excellent diving all year round. Even during the rainy season, which lasts from June to December, storms typically blow through quickly. The water temperature rarely drops below 80° Fahrenheit, so bring your thinnest wetsuit or skin.