North Side is a boat-access diving area where shallow sandbar encounters give way to serious wall terrain. The signature draw is the Whiptail Stingray at sites like Stingray City Sandbar, but the area's depth range is broad: beginners explore sheltered reef flats while intermediate divers work vertical walls, pinnacles, and canyon systems at sites such as Princess Penny's Wall, Blue Pinnacles, and Tarpon Alley West. French Angelfish, Great Barracuda, Nurse Shark, and Groupers appear consistently across the site mix.
Monthly water temperature across North Side's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water stays warm year-round, rising through late summer and autumn to its peak, which makes those months comfortable for longer dives. The best-months data points most strongly to late spring, particularly May, as the prime window. Wall sites like Hole in the Wall and Eagle Ray Pass involve deeper exposures, so conditions and current are worth checking with local operators before heading out.
7 more sites to explore
Water temperature around North Side ranges from about 27°C in January to 30°C in July, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
With water around 27–30°C, a rash guard or 3mm shorty works in North Side year-round.
Fin maps 19 sites in North Side (19 scuba diving sites and 2 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
Across North Side's dive sites, May are most often reported as the best months to visit.
Observed species across North Side sites include the Whiptail Stingray, French Angelfish, Great Barracuda, Nurse Shark, Green Moray, and Stoplight Parrotfish. Hawksbill Sea Turtle and Green Sea Turtle are among the signature species for the area. Indian Lionfish and Blue Tang are present at virtually every site, while Caribbean Spiny Lobster and Flamingo Tongue are common finds on the reef structure.
Several North Side sites are rated for beginners, including the Stingray City Sandbar and The Coral Garden, both of which are very shallow and accessed by boat. The majority of sites, however, are rated intermediate, with wall and canyon terrain reaching considerable depth. Beginners will find a solid starting point here but should be aware that the more dramatic topography is better suited to those with some prior experience.
All sites in North Side are boat-access only, including the shallow beginner sites in the North Sound. Shore entry is not available for any listed site. Divers should arrange trips through a dive operator, as the sites span a range of distances from the coast.
North Side offers a broad mix of underwater terrain. Shallow reef and sandbar sites such as Stingray City Sandbar contrast with deeper wall dives like Castle Wall and Hammerhead Hill. Several sites combine reef, wall, and canyon or pinnacle formations, including Black Forest (North) and Tarpon Alley West. Eagle Ray Pass adds a drift element, making North Side appealing to divers looking to build experience across different styles of diving.
