Article Summary
As you descend to the depths of a dive spot, a new and exhilarating environment emerges. Scuba diving offers an opportunity to explore vibrant ecosystems, ranging from coral reefs to shipwrecks, and to encounter a multitude of captivating marine species in their natural surroundings.
Numerous Caribbean islands provide diving opportunities throughout the year, ensuring that sightings of a variety of creatures – including seahorses, reef sharks, turtles, and shrimp – are prevalent regardless of the season. Achieving certification through PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is essential and is available on many Caribbean islands, granting you lifelong usage of your certification (although a refresher may be advisable if diving has not been undertaken within a significant period). From nocturnal immersions to wreck explorations, the diversity of the underwater scenery is boundless. Below are some premier diving sites in the Caribbean.
1. Bat Cave, St Vincent
What to expect: An extraordinary underwater experience awaits at St Vincent’s Byahaut Bat Cave, where entry involves swimming through a fissure between two rocks. Observe the multitude of bats resting on the cave’s ledges prior to descending. An abundance of marine life can be found at depths of approximately 40–60ft (12–18m), including eagle rays, pipefish, and seahorses.
What to know: Opt for an early morning dive to Bat Cave to evade the crowds typical of later trips. The opportunity to view bats within the cave represents a remarkable achievement for adventurous divers.
How to make it happen: The Sandals St Vincent Dive Center provides inclusive diving experiences while on-site, along with all necessary equipment. Alternatively, arrange your excursion with dive operators such as Canouan Scuba Center or Dive St Vincent.
2. Deep Plane, Jamaica
What to expect: Located in Western Jamaica, near Negril, the Deep Plane dive site presents divers with the opportunity to investigate the intricate details of a Cessna 152 aircraft wreck. A vibrant coral reef surrounds the site. Upon reaching the plane, look for colorful coral inlay along the wreck, along with a variety of marine life, including turtles, sharks, sea fans, and various rays that inhabit the coral.
What to know: Although diving is possible throughout the year, the plane resides at a depth of 90ft (27m), making it suitable for experienced divers, specifically those possessing a PADI Advanced Open Water Certification or higher.
How to make it happen: Equipment rentals and PADI dive courses are available at the ScubaCaribe dive shop in Negril. The instructors are affable and knowledgeable, addressing common concerns of novices, such as depth, safety, and proper gear. Alternatively, you can engage with One Love Scuba Dive Center, located on Seven Mile Beach at Traveller’s Beach Resort, where transportation from Negril accommodations is included for all booked dives.
3. Fort Young House Reef, Dominica
What to expect: For an exhilarating night dive, visit the town of Roseau in the southern region of Dominica, which features the Fort Young House Reef. The diverse sponge life and soft coral present on the underwater volcanic rocks of this site attract nocturnal creatures such as octopus, squid, and numerous moray eels, which can be observed with your dive light.
What to know: The location is accessible via a short 5-minute boat ride from the Fort Young Hotel dock in Roseau. The hotel caters specifically to scuba divers, complete with a dive shop and scuba school. Divers frequently gather in the onsite restaurant to share their experiences.
How to make it happen: The PADI dive instructors at the Fort Young Hotel provide night dives for divers of all certification levels throughout the year, and all necessary equipment is available for rental from the dive shop there.
4. Stingraysted, St Croix
What to expect: Stingraysted in St Croix, within the US Virgin Islands, features a plateau with a sloping sandy wall on the Green Cay Slope Mini Wall System, replete with coral heads. The mooring is around 32ft (10m) deep and is a favored site for stingrays, along with flounders and jawfish. The wall begins at 40ft (12m) and descends thousands of feet to the ocean floor.
What to know: With a maximum dive depth of 60ft (18m), Stingraysted accommodates both novice and experienced divers.
How to make it happen: Dive boats depart from the Christiansted boardwalk marina. Numerous dive shops along the boardwalk, including Dive Experience, St Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures, and Latitude 17 Scuba, offer comprehensive diving equipment for rent.
5. STENAPA Reef, Sint Eustatius
What to expect: The island of Sint Eustatius hosts a marine reserve known as STENAPA (St Eustatius National Marine Park), with the reef extending to a maximum depth of 60ft (18m). This artificial reef features sunken objects like a tugboat, remnants of shipwrecks, and metal pipes intended to attract marine life to the protected area. Look for encounters with barracuda, sponges, French Angelfish, and Caribbean reef sharks.
What to know: Diving in the national marine park is essential; however, if time allows, consider visiting the dormant volcano known as the Quill, which boasts eight trails through its thorny woodland and elfin forest. A self-guided tour can unveil seedless breadfruit dangling from parental trees, wild edible raspberries flourishing in the forest, and the sway of small, round fruits on grape trees.
How to make it happen: Underwater excursions can be arranged with PADI-certified instructors at Scubaqua, a local dive shop situated on the black sand beach in the Lowertown harbor area.
6. Mike’s Maze, Sint Maarten
What to expect: For novice divers, Mike’s Maze in Sint Maarten is an excellent option due to its maximum depth of only 50ft (15m). Nevertheless, there is an abundance to observe at this site, including shallow caves and small overhangs inviting curiosity. Relax and observe the impressive spectacle of green sea turtles grazing on seagrass, various textured sea stars resting on the sand, or possibly even a reef shark surveying the vicinity.
What to know: It is advisable to visit Sint Maarten during the low season (with peak tourist influx occurring from December to April and July to August). The low season tends to feature smaller dive groups, allowing for more space on the boat and greater attention from the dive instructor. Though summer marks the rainy season, diving is seldom affected unless severe storms disrupt conditions. Visibility typically remains satisfactory.
How to make it happen: Equip yourself with necessary gear from the Dive Sint Maarten dive shop located in the vibrant Bobby’s Marina.
7. Coral Gables, Turks and Caicos
What to expect: Just a brief 15-minute boat ride from Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos, the Coral Gables dive site is situated within the Princess Alexandra National Marine Park, which has been a safeguarded marine region for over three decades. This dive site caters to beginners owing to its maximum depth of merely 30ft (9m). The clear water allows sunlight to illuminate the underwater landscape, revealing peacock flounders camouflaging in the sandy bottom and yellowtail snappers swimming amidst colorful fan corals.
What to know: Visibility at most dive locations in Turks and Caicos remains exceptionally clear throughout the year, with the optimal period to encounter rays, dolphins, and migrating humpback whales being from January to March.
How to make it happen: Stay at the Club Med Turkoise for a PADI course opportunity on-site.
8. Superman’s Flight, St Lucia
What to expect: Drift diving – where you navigate the underwater currents effortlessly while absorbing the environment – provides a stimulating experience without the need for vigorous paddling. Superman’s Flight in St Lucia is named after the cliff adjacent to the dive site where a scene from Superman II (1980) was filmed. The swift current coursing along the sloped wall allows divers to encounter various marine life such as parrotfish, turtles, sponges, and vibrant soft corals while effortlessly gliding.
What to know: Should you find downtime, consider indulging in the well-known experience of a mud bath at the drive-in Sulphur Springs amidst the Soufrier Volcano, renowned for its detoxifying properties. Morning dives leave ample time for an evening visit to enjoy the mud bath.
How to make it happen: For divers, the ideal accommodation in St Lucia is the all-inclusive Sandals Grande St Lucian, which offers complete access to necessary equipment at the on-site dive shop and includes dives as part of your stay.
