Exploring the Best Dive Spots in the Caribbean
Exploring the Caribbean's Finest Underwater Experiences: Ranking the Top 12 Dive Spots
The Caribbean, with its warm, calm waters and a rich variety of marine life, presents an exciting opportunity for scuba divers. This vast and diverse region offers numerous locations for underwater explorers, many of which can be easily reached from major cities in North America. To assist in your decision-making process, we have handpicked our top 12 choices for the best diving in the Caribbean.
Top Dive Destinations in the Caribbean
- Bonaire - The Shore Diving Capital of the World
Bonaire boasts a solid reputation as the world's capital of shore diving and justifiably so, with over 60 sites accessible directly from the shore, and more than 20 others accessible by boat at Klein Bonaire. Divers can enjoy the freedom of diving wherever and whenever they choose, with unguided dives possible at many sites. For those preferring guided dives, a wide array of options is available. Salt Pier, one of the top 10 dive sites in Bonaire, should not be missed, offering a unique experience with numerous schooling fish, including large tarpon. With its reefs teeming with sponges, sea fans, small fish, and critters, Bonaire is home to over 340 fish and 57 coral species. Divers can encounter angelfish, butterflyfish, various seahorses, crabs, and shrimps, while turtles, barracudas, and large tarpon are sighted regularly. Due to its location outside the hurricane belt, Bonaire is accessible for diving year-round. View Bonaire dive resorts page for more information.
- Cozumel, Mexico - Excellent Drift Dives, Beautiful Corals & Diverse Marine Life
Isla Cozumel, located in the Caribbean Sea, is a popular year-round destination for scuba divers, offering excellent yet easy drift dives, stunning visibility, colorful sponges, and a diverse array of marine life. On a typical Cozumel dive, divers can expect to spot turtles, moray eels, nurse sharks, and a variety of colorful tropical fish. Eagle rays and blacktip reef sharks are commonly sighted, while larger species such as hammerhead sharks may be encountered during specific seasons. In and out of the water, Cozumel offers a wealth of activities for divers and non-divers alike, including swimming with dolphins, fantastic snorkeling, Mayan ruins visits, and more. Learn more about diving Cozumel.
- Jardines de la Reina, Cuba - World-Class Shark Diving, Saltwater Crocodiles & Pristine Reefs
Jardines de la Reina is one of the Caribbean's finest dive destinations, offering amazing shark dives, pristine reefs, and thrilling encounters with saltwater crocodiles. Divers can expect to see large Caribbean reef sharks and silky sharks, with hammerhead, nurse, lemon, and blacktip sharks occasionally sighted depending on the time of year. These extraordinary underwater adventures are complemented by encounters with American saltwater crocodiles in crystal-clear waters. Located in one of the world's most preserved marine areas, the reefs in Jardines de la Reina are teeming with marine life, including massive groupers, loggerhead, hawksbill, and green turtles, snappers, and a myriad of vibrant tropical fish and smaller critters. View liveaboard options on our guide to diving Cuba and read about our Eco Dive Center Cuba Trip Recap.
- Cayman Islands - Walls, Wrecks & Amazing Diversity
The Cayman Islands offer a wealth of diving opportunities, with three distinct islands - Grand Cayman, the largest and most popular; Little Cayman, the most untouched and least populated; and Cayman Brac, a moderately populated island between the two. Grand Cayman offers an impressive variety of wreck and wall sites, as well as Stingray City, where divers can interact with rays in shallow waters. The world-renowned 251-foot (78-meter) shipwreck USS Kittiwake is also notable. Little Cayman offers over 50 dive sites, including Bloody Bay Wall Marine Park, known for its stunning colors, steep drop-offs, and dramatic swim-throughs. Cayman Brac's dive sites are similar to those of Grand Cayman and are home to a variety of marine life, including moray eels, turtles, groupers, tarpon, and sharks. Check out our Cayman Islands trip report 2019 Consult us to have a trip arranged for you at no additional cost.
- Bahamas - Sharks, Sharks, Sharks!!
The Bahamas is a must-visit destination for scuba divers looking for encounters with various shark species. Tiger Beach, on Grand Bahama's West End, offers the opportunity to safely dive up close with tiger sharks from October to May. In addition, you might spot lemon sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, and even hammerheads. Divers can also plan a visit to Bimini from January to March to witness great hammerhead sharks alongside Caribbean reef sharks and nurse sharks, and perhaps even wild dolphins. Additionally, the pristine Cat Island provides the opportunity to dive with massive oceanic whitetip sharks from April to June. A range of dive tour operators and liveaboards cater to Bahamas diving, making it accessible for all levels of divers. View our selection of Bahamas liveaboards and dive tour operators Consult us to have a trip arranged for you at no additional cost!.
- Roatan, Honduras - Laidback Caribbean Destination with Excellent Diving
Roatan, the largest island in the Bay Islands off Honduras' east coast, appeals to divers for its inexpensive diving and relaxed atmosphere. With nearly 100 named dive sites, varying from wrecks and caves to numerous excellent walls, Roatan offers adventure and tranquility in equal measure. Some common marine life sightings include big groupers, hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, various sharks, and dolphins, as well as a variety of smaller animals such as cleaner shrimps, seahorses, starfish, lobster, squids, and, unfortunately, lionfish. Divers can opt for a liveaboard trip on the Roatan Aggressor, the only liveaboard operating in the area at present. Book a trip on the Roatan Aggressor or view dive resort options in the Cayman Islands.
- Turneffe Atoll, Belize - Unspoiled Dive Destination with Amazing Diversity
Located southeast of Ambergris Caye, Turneffe Atoll is one of the best-preserved marine areas in the world and offers a vast array of easy dive sites, insanely clear visibility, and varied marine life. Divers may expect to see white-spotted toadfish, eagle rays, tarpon, green morays, various reef sharks, and nurse sharks. Be on the lookout for spotted drumfish, flamingo tongue cowries, and other fascinating creatures. With its pristine dive sites and tropical rainforest activities, Turneffe Atoll offers something for both adventure seekers and those seeking relaxation. Most divers who visit Belize stay on Ambergris Caye, where numerous resorts and dive operators are available. Learn more about diving Belize.
- Silver Bank, Dominican Republic - The Place to Swim with Humpback Whales in the Caribbean
The Dominican Republic's Silver Bank, home to the world's largest concentration of North Atlantic humpback whales, offers divers the incredible opportunity to swim with these gentle giants in the water. Mother humpback whales and their calves find sanctuary in these waters for mating, calving, and nurturing their young from January through April. To ensure the protection of the whales, only a limited number of visitors are allowed each week, and scuba diving is not an option for general tourists. A few liveaboards are permitted in these highly protected areas, such as the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II and Turks & Caicos Explorer II, typically visiting Silver Bank from late January to early April. Learn more about Silver Bank.
- Turks and Caicos - Excellent Shark Diving & World-Class Wall Sites
Turks and Caicos, an archipelago consisting of 40 islands, offers divers a wide variety of easy dive sites spread across Providenciales, Salt Cay, and Grand Turk. Divers may encounter Caribbean reef sharks and nurse sharks in calm waters with excellent visibility, making it an ideal destination for photographers, beginners, and experts alike. In addition to sharks, divers can also look forward to encounters with various turtles, plus schools of jacks and colorful reef fish.LIveaboard diving is the best way to explore the archipelago's many islands and diverse diving. View the availability of Turks & Caicos liveaboards and book online at the best price Consult us to have a trip arranged for you at no additional cost, or learn more about diving the Turks & Caicos.
- Dominica - Sperm Whales!
While not as visited by tourists as other Caribbean locations, Dominica is quickly gaining a reputation for its exceptional underwater experiences. Its unique topography, including rugged peaks and ridges on land and steep underwater volcanoes, creates an ideal environment for exploring intriguing crevices and underwater caves. Dominica's most famous dive site, the Champagne Reef, features bubbling warm water due to geothermal vents beneath the surface, making it perfect for night diving. Divers can expect to encounter various macro critters, including seahorses, frogfish, and anemonefish. Additionally, Dominica is a mecca for whale watching, with 22 species of whales in its waters, including the mighty sperm whale. Learn more about diving Dominica.
- Curaçao - One of the Caribbean's Best-Kept Secrets
Curacao, despite being less popular, offers a range of critter-rich dive sites and some of the Caribbean's best macrophotography opportunities. Divers will find an array of Small sea creatures such as frogfish, pygmy angelfish, gobies and blennies, neck and speck clawed crabs, banded corals, scarlet, red night shrimps, and red-banded lobster. With more than 85 dive sites, including Mushroom Forest and the Blue Room, Curacao cater to a range of divers. Contact us for a consultation regarding local dive resorts or learn more about diving Curaçao.
- Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago - Laidback Destination with Excellent Drift Dives
Tobago, the lesser-known twin island of Trinidad, offers calm waters and diverse marine life for a more relaxed diving experience. Divers can anticipate thrilling drift dives, with an abundance of healthy reefs consisting of both soft and hard corals, as well as varied marine life. With limited restrictions, divers can enjoy an array of opportunities to take advantage of, including wrecks, walls, and coral reefs teeming with marine life. Learn more about diving Trinidad & Tobago.
Additional Dive Destinations in the Caribbean
While the list above focuses on the top 12 dive spots in the Caribbean, there are many other destinations worth exploring. These secondary locations include British Virgin Islands, Saba, St. Kitts, St. Eustatius, Aruba, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Costa Rica (east coast), and St. Maarten/St. Martin.
Best Time to Dive in the Caribbean
Generally speaking, the Caribbean's diving season runs year-round, but it's essential to be aware of the hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30. Fortunately, many great islands can be dived outside this period. Some of the best times to dive in the Caribbean are in the spring and fall months, when the weather is pleasantly mild, and the water is warm. Ocean currents can affect visibility, so it's important to consider each destination's weather and diving conditions before visiting.
Book Your Trip to the Caribbean
Bluewater Travel offers a full range of dive travel services and is proud to be an expert on resorts, liveaboard boats, and logistics throughout the Caribbean. We'll be more than happy to book your next dive vacation at the same price or even lower than booking through other channels. Contact us now to plan your Caribbean diving adventure!
- The Caribbean, a region with warm, calm waters and an abundance of marine life, offers diverse opportunities for scuba divers wanting to explore its underwater world.
- With over 60 shore-accessible dive sites and numerous boat dive sites, Bonaire is regarded as the world’s shore diving capital, teeming with various fish and coral species.
- Isla Cozumel, a popular destination, offers excellent drift dives, stunning visibility, and a diversity of marine life including turtles, moray eels, nurse sharks, and colorful tropical fish.
- Jardines de la Reina in Cuba showcases world-class shark diving, offering encounters with Caribbean reef sharks, silky sharks, hammerhead sharks, and thrilling encounters with saltwater crocodiles.
- The Cayman Islands, with its three distinct islands, present an impressive variety of wreck and wall sites, with opportunities for dive encounters with various marine life, including turtles, groupers, tarpon, and sharks.
- Tiger Beach in the Bahamas offers divers the chance to interact closely with tiger sharks, along with lemon sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, and even hammerheads.
- Roatan, Honduras appeals to divers for its inexpensive diving and relaxed atmosphere, offering an array of dive sites with various marine life encounters including groupers, hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, sharks, and dolphins.
- Located southeast of Ambergris Caye, Turneffe Atoll in Belize features easy dive sites, insanely clear visibility, and diverse marine life encounters such as white-spotted toadfish, eagle rays, tarpon, and nurse sharks.
