Dive-In to Summer! Best Dive Resorts in the Caribbean

If you're a scuba diving fanatic or nature lover, then you'll have another reason to visit the Caribbean in 2013.  Today's article offers only a partial listing of some of the most popular dive destinations in the Caribbean, along with some information on resorts that have teamed up with local dive companies to offer vacation packages with lodging + dive packages (and in some cases, meals).


Bonaire is located in the southern Caribbean (outside of the hurricane belt) and has clear waters, plentiful marine life and pristine reefs.  It is also known for its popularity as a great windsurfing, sailing and kayaking location.   Bonaire resorts that offer lodging + dive packages include:  Sand Dollar Condominiums, Den Laman Condominiums, and Buddy Dive Resort (Scuba Diving's Reader's Choice 2013 Best Dive Resort). If you're in the market for an all-inclusive hotel plus dive package, The Plaza Bonaire offers a 7-night package with meals, beverages, boat diving and shore dives (free nitrox) provided by Toucan Diving -- 7 nights for around $1,250-$1,700 per person, depending on the room selection.

Curaçao is located near Aruba and Bonaire, and was voted the Favorite Caribbean Destination for 2012 by readers of About.com.  It is a paradise for scuba divers, hikers and nature lovers, with lush terrain and more than 60 diving locations.  Sunscape Resort in Curaçao offers an all-inclusive + dive package.

Barbados is located far southeast in the Caribbean.  It is a coral island formed by volcanic activity.  On its west coast are beaches of fine white sand, with coral reefs fringing the shoreline, providing a wonderful place to snorkel and scuba dive. 

Dominica is northwest of Barbados and southeast of Puerto Rico, and is known for its volcanic vents, colorful reefs, soft corals, and plunging sea walls.  Soufriere Scott's Head Marine Reserve, located in the southwest, is the oldest reserve on the island.  With virtually no current, The Cabrits National Park Marine Section in the north is renowned for its large variety of rare fish.  The Salisbury Marine Reserve in the central west has dozens of sites with some of the best reef diving in the Caribbean. Castle Comfort resort offers a package with accommodations, breakfast, transfers and shore diving.

St. Croix is the largest of the US Virgin Islands, and offers unique diving opportunities from vibrant reefs to sunken ships.  Sea life is very abundant, with more than 500 species of fish, and 40 types of coral.  See interesting marine life, like the "silvery horse-eye jack, or the "queen triggerfish."  As the sun sets, octopus, seahorses and moray eels make their appearance.  Hawksbill, green, and leatherback turtles also call the USVI home.  If you're lucky, you might get a chance to witness turtles hatching on one of the many turtle nesting grounds.  The Carambola Renaissance in the US Virgin Islands offers a discounted rate with dive packages.

NOTE: Some of the lodging + dive packages described above are restricted to certain travel dates and are subject to availability. 

If you're interested in scuba diving in the Bahamas, Galapagos or Turks & Caicos, you might consider taking a "Liveaboard" excursion with Explorer Ventures. They offer weekly packages in the southern Bahamas, based in George Town, Great Exuma (see map below), departing also from Providenciales, Turks & Caicos.  Guests experience pristine walls and reefs with secluded diving at uninhabited islands in the remote "out islands" of the Bahamas.  The Gulf Stream waters and assorted rifts running through these areas provide the perfect environment for a large and varied population of marine species.  If you would like more information about a particular destination, resort or excursion, contact Sue at price4travel@yahoo.com.

If you have a favorite Caribbean destination or resort to share, please let us know in the comments section below.