Diving in the Caribbean is a ‘must-do’ thrill-seeking activity for tourists and an exhilarating hobby for residents.

Our region is teeming with some of the best diving locations in the world where you can explore shipwrecks and coral reefs while surrounded by colourful and exotic marine life.

Below we’ve listed five top-class dive sites in the Caribbean but, of course, there are many more!

Barbados – Carlisle Bay

The crystal-clear water in Carlisle Bay is home to six shallow shipwrecks that can be visited all in one dive – the Barge, Cornwallis, Berwyn, Bajan Queen, C-Trek and Eilon. These wrecks are perfect for new or experienced divers and can be accessed via the beach or a boat. 

Explorers can expect to see a wide range of fish species as well as beautiful coral and green sea turtles (of course!).

Belize – Blue Hole Natural Monument

Belize’s world-famous Blue Hole, also known as the Great Blue Hole, is part of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. A giant submarine sinkhole that is circular, the Blue Hole measures 1,000 feet across and approximately 400 feet deep and is known as one of the most spectacular diving spots in the world. 

Stalactites and other rare limestone formations, as well as several endangered species of fish, are just some of the sights waiting for divers to explore while they descend into the darkness of this massive natural phenomenon.

Bonaire – One thousand steps

Despite its name, there are only about 67 steps down to this popular dive spot to the north of Kralendijk in Bonaire. While lugging your dive gear back up the steps can be a bit challenging, the site is worth it. 

Under the water, you’ll find rainbow parrotfish and sergeant majors swimming around high-rise coral structures and star-coral formations. Hawksbill turtles and manta rays have also been frequently sighted in the area, and some divers have even reported seeing the occasional whale shark.

Cayman Islands – USS Kittiwake

Grand Cayman is where divers can find one of the best wrecks in the Caribbean, the USS Kittiwake. The downed ship is located just off Seven Mile Beach and rests at around 60ft deep. It is accessible for divers of all abilities as well as snorkellers and free divers. 

The USS Kittiwake is a submarine rescue ship that was in service for 49 years. The 251ft-long vessel was donated to the Cayman Islands by the United States Maritime Administration and deliberately sunk in January 2011 to become an artificial reef.

St Lucia – Anse Chastanet

One of the most dramatic spots for diving in the Caribbean is the stunning Anse Chastanet Reef in the southwest of St Lucia. The shallows, with depths up to 25ft, can be entered directly from the beach. 

The reef falls away from 20 to 140ft in a unique coral wall that continues from Anse Chastanet Bay around the headland of Grand Caille and in towards the harbour of Soufriere.

Be on the lookout for flounders, needle fish, octopus, and turtles!

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Sources: PADI blog, BonaireIsland.com, DiveIn.com, and ScubaDiving.com.

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