Yes, the Caribbean has the best diving in the world. And while you can find a great place to dive almost anywhere in the region, some places have those extra-special qualities, the right combination of water, access and wildlife — not to mention loads of things to do and places to eat when you’re above the water. These are our favourite diving destinations for 2014.
Bonaire
It’s a close race for the top, but we gave the nod to Bonaire thanks to its simply unmatched shore diving offerings. Bonaire is a place where you can literally jump into the water and find an incredible dive site, and it’s also a wonderful, laid-back place when you’re not underwater. Crucially, it’s also the perfect place to learn how to dive, too.
Grand Cayman
Like Bonaire, Grand Cayman is all about diving, and there’s a reason it attracts divers of all skill levels from around the world — it is a marvelous place for diving — not to mention its famous North Wall.
Curacao
While Curacao is still flying under the radar a bit as a diving destination, those in the know have long celebrated the island’s 65 individual dive sites.
Belize
Belize’s Barrier Reef and Hol Chan Marine Reserve are located within the Mesoamerican Reef System, which is nearly 1,000 kilometres long. And Belize’s reef system is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Translation? There’s quite a bit to see underwater.
Cozumel
Mexico’s unofficial dive capital, this island off the coast of the Riviera Maya is also part of the Mesoamerican Reef, the largest in the hemisphere. It’s also notable for the sheer diversity of its wildlife.
Saba
The tiny Dutch island in the northeastern Caribbean is a secret haven for divers, mainly because its relatively low level of tourism means its waters and reefs are largely untouched.
St Eustatius
Statia, as it’s known, is quite small, but that’s a very good thing when you head into the water. And for a small destination, there is a disproportionately broad array of dive sites, from shallow reefs to wrecks to volcanic fissures.
St Croix
The largest island in the United States Virgin Islands, features plethora of terrific dive sites and a strong group of dive operators. But the star of the show is the world-famous, versatile Cane Bay, itself worth the trip.
Grand Turk
Home to crystal-blue waters, Grand Turk features the Grand Turk wall, and is also within easy access of a number of untouched cays, including Gibbs Cay.
Bay Islands, Honduras
This group of eight islands (and more than 50 tiny islets and cays) off the Caribbean coast of Honduras is home to great diving and, more importantly, a number of excellent, small-scale dive resorts. Roatan itself is a great all-around destination.
Grand Bahama
The Bahamas is another country with universally good diving, in no small part due to its ultra-clear turquoise water (see: Thunderball). But Grand Bahama has some seriously diverse offerings, from wrecks to shark diving.
Virgin Gorda
There is superb diving across the British Virgin Islands archipelago, but Virgin Gorda takes the cake, the adventure of diving the Wreck of the Chikuzen alone.
Grenada
The Spice Isle is one of the region’s up-and-coming dive destinations. Beyond its exceptional underwater sculpture park, the country has more than 50 dive sites including the famous Bianca C wreck.