If you’re an avid diver in the Caribbean, chances are you’ve been to the region’s most famous diving hotspots — most notably the longtime Caribbean capital of diving, Bonaire.
But there’s a multitude of spectacular diving destinations hidden away across the region; they’re islands that may not be well known for their diving, but boast full-fledged wonders beneath their seas.
Others are just well-guarded secrets.
Here are six under-the-radar diving destinations to try in the Caribbean.
Saba It’s the best-kept secret in Caribbean diving. This tiny, rocky Dutch Caribbean island just a short flight from St Maarten has a world of undersea options, anchored by the Saba Marine Park, which was started in the early 1980s and spans the entire circumference of the island. Undersea life range from wrasses, blue tangs and chromis to green and hawksbilll turtles and even hammerhead and whale sharks. Your best bet? Try the wonderful operation at Sea Saba.
Antigua With 365 beaches in Antigua and Barbuda, it’s no wonder there’s some great diving here. There are a range of high-level dive sites around the island, particularly off the southeastern coast. And being largely off the radar of high-volume diving means there are spectacular, pristine reefs and a range of unique features, from undersea chimneys and a number of ledges and swim-throughs. Your best bet is to work with Mamora Bay Divers at the St James’ Club
Saint Lucia Okay, this island’s diving excellence is not exactly a secret, but Saint Lucia’s certainly ar better known for its rainforest, chocolate and honeymoon hotels than its diving. Whether you’re staying at one of the region’s leading diving resorts, Anse Chastanet, taking an all-inclusive diving vacation at Sandals or enjoying the world-class diving beneath the Pitons, Saint Lucia is a well-developed, complete diving destination.
Martinique Dive sites in Martinique are as diverse in Martinique as they are abundant, whether you’re exploring the rock tunnel formation and steep ledges around the island’s famous Diamond Rock or the underwater sculpture park off the coast of Saint Pierre in the north. The latter is particularly fascinating, with at least 14 different wrecks in the waters off of Mont Pelee.
Cat Island, The Bahamas While the Out Islands of The Bahamas are better known for their beaches and their fishing, in-the-know divers have long savored the dive sites in these destinations beyond Nassau. That includes Cat Island, which has both a great collection of dive sites and several diver-friendly resorts, including Shanna’s Cove and the Greenwood Beach Resort. Great sites include the First Basin Wall, a 100-200-foot deep-water drop off and the wreck of a 360-foot Spanish battleship sunk in 1898 during the Spanish-American War.
Dominica The Caribbean’s self-styled “Nature Island” has just about everything for the adventurer: waterfalls, rainforests, whale watching and, of course, the 114-mile Waitukubuli Trail, the greatest hiking trail in the Caribbean. But there’s some superb diving here, too. That includes signature sites like Champagne Reef, where you can dive in the bubbling waters of undersea volcanic thermal springs and colorful sea life like water lilies, parrotfish, frogfish, sea snakes and hawksbill turtles, among others.