7 Best Places to Dive in the Caribbean + Eco-Friendly Dive Resorts
Looking for the best places to dive in the Caribbean? Discover all the best spots for scuba in the region, as well as eco-friendly Caribbean dive resorts for a sustainable stay.
Across the Caribbean’s thousands of islands, divers are treated to an array of marine environments. There’s everything from electric-blue expanses of open ocean to dramatic, sheer walls that plummet into the abyss.
Pelagic life abounds, with the chance to spot sharks and schools of silvery barracuda, as well as the gentle giants of the sea – whale sharks.
The diversity of marine life in the Caribbean is staggering – there are colourful coral formations, sponges and countless species of tropical fish inhabiting the reefs.
In this article, discover all the best places to dive in the Caribbean, from Bonaire to the Bahamas and Curaçao. We’ll highlight eco-friendly dive resorts in the Caribbean and sustainably-run hotels that are doing their bit to minimise their environmental footprint.
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Bonaire
Best place for shore dives in the Caribbean
Situated in the southern Caribbean, this picturesque island is a shore diver’s dream. Think crystal-clear visibility, vibrant coral formations and an incredible density of tropical fish.
Bonaire is home to the impressive Hilma Hooker wreck and a fascinating array of ship anchors at Karpata. Also of note is “1000 Steps”, renowned for its submerged “staircase” entry point.
While not as well-known as some of the other island nations on this list, Bonaire is still one of the best places to dive in the Caribbean.
Eco-friendly dive resorts in Bonaire
Buddy Dive Resort
Offering one, two and three-bedroom apartments (plus studios), this eco-friendly Bonaire dive resort boasts an oceanfront setting that’s hard to beat.
In between dives, you can refuel at Blennies Restaurant, which serves hearty salads, burgers and locally-inspired cuisine.
Buddy Dive Resort’s commitment to sustainability includes support for coral restoration projects, the removal of invasive lion fish and comprehensive recycling programs.
Delfins Beach Resort
This oceanfront Bonaire dive resort is set within tropical gardens overlooking a private beach. Located on the southwest coast, it features 140 studios, penthouses and villas.
All enjoy access to the resort’s sparkling swimming pools, two restaurants and beachfront brasseries.
When it comes to sustainability, this eco-friendly Bonaire resort has significantly reduced its carbon footprint. This is largely due to the implementation of solar power and the promotion of green living.
Bahamas
Best place to dive with sharks in the Caribbean
Situated between the Caribbean Sea and the Western Atlantic Ocean is the Bahamas. This stunning archipelago boasts over 700 islands and boasts some of the best shark diving in the region.
“Tiger Beach” is a particular hotspot, where adrenaline-seekers can come face-to-face with the powerful tiger shark. Just a short distance away, the waters around Bimini are a prime spot for seeing hammerhead sharks.
Meanwhile, a cluster of Jeep wrecks can be found at the aptly-named “Jeep Reef”. Challenging drift dives await in the waters off Eleuthera and Harbour Island. In short, the Bahamas is one of the best places to dive in the Caribbean.
Eco-friendly dive resorts in the Bahamas
The Island House
Overlooking Old Fort Bay on the island of Nassau is this sustainably-run boutique hotel. It offers luxurious stays in its uber-chic suites and apartments.
Aside from the sprawling pool, there’s an art house cinema, an onsite art gallery and a spa based on the Bamford Body Collection’s holistic approach.
This eco-friendly Bahamas hotel has been designed using reclaimed wood and natural stone, and with renewable energies. The Island House’s on-site garden provides a bounty of fresh herbs and produce. These are transformed into gourmet dishes at the property’s two high-end restaurants.
Small Hope Bay Lodge
Offering an idyllic setting on the island of Andros, Small Hope Bay Lodge is an intimate and eco-friendly hotel for diving in the Bahamas.
It features just a handful of one and two-bedroom cabins built using coral rock and Andros pine. All feature solar-powered showers and incredible sunrise views.
Caribbean comfort fare is served at the on-site restaurant. Meanwhile, the dive centre offers both courses and daily fun dives.
Cayman Islands
Best place for wreck diving in the Caribbean
Home to the USS Kittiwake, a former United States Navy submarine rescue ship, the Cayman Islands has garnered a reputation as one of the top wreck diving destinations in the Caribbean.
Beyond this 251-foot vessel, the archipelago also encompasses Stingray City, a series of shallow sandbars where massive southern stingrays congregate.
Off the coast of Little Cayman is the legendary Bloody Bay Wall. It offers a thrilling vertical descent down a sheer underwater cliff, clustered with coral that attracts abundant fish life.
Eco-friendly dive resorts in the Cayman Islands
Compass Point Dive Resort
Home to a PADI Eco Center, Ocean Frontiers, this East End resort is all about diving.
It features Green Globe-certified one-, two- and three-bedroom penthouses and condos (all just a stone’s throw from the dock). Additionally, there’s a swimming pool and an alfresco barbecue area.
You can dine on international cuisine at Eagle Ray’s or take advantage of one of the many restaurants that are just a short stroll away.
Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa
With its oceanfront setting on Seven Mile Beach, this luxurious Cayman Islands resort is hard to beat.
All of the rooms and suites come with stunning views. The high-end amenities include a monstrous pool, a decadent spa and a plethora of gourmet dining venues.
When it comes to sustainability, this eco-friendly Cayman Islands resort uses geothermal air-conditioning, solar energy and drip irrigation throughout the grounds. Additionally, there’s turtle-friendly lighting that doesn’t distract the area’s marine animals.
Curaçao
Best place for beginner divers in the Caribbean
With its exceptional marine life and brilliantly coloured coral reefs, Curaçao has cemented its reputation as one of the best dive destinations in the Caribbean.
What makes it special is the lack of strong ocean currents. This results in a gentle, beginner-friendly environment that allows even novice divers to safely explore the underwater world.
For experienced divers, the Mushroom Forest offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to dive among mushroom-shaped coral formations. Meanwhile, the Superior Producer is a fascinating wreck dive with cargo holds and a wheelhouse.
Eco-friendly resorts in Curaçao
LionsDive Beach Resort
Located partway between Willemstad and Jan Thiel is this eco-friendly Curaçao resort. It features a collection of airy rooms, suites and cabanas, all just steps from a powdery white beach.
In addition to boasting the only Olympic-size swimming pool in the Caribbean, LionsDive hosts Ocean Encounters. This dive centre offers both daily dives and certification courses.
Water conservation, energy efficiency and comprehensive waste management are all central to the resort’s operations. It also partners with local social enterprise Green Phenix to transform the property’s trash into new, useful products.
Morena Eco Resort
Located just five minutes’ walk from Jan Thiel Beach is this eco-friendly Curaçao resort. It features modern two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom villas, all with high-end teak furnishings and private balconies or patios.
Since 2011, Morena Eco Resort has proudly held the prestigious Golden Travellife Award. This eco-label celebrates hotels and accommodations dedicated to prioritising both social and environmental responsibility.
Turks and Caicos
Tucked just southeast of the Bahamas lies Turks and Caicos, a slightly more secluded and untouched corner of the Caribbean.
It comprises over 40 distinct islands, separated into two main groups by the Turks Island Passage, which provides an underwater highway for migratory marine life.
Providenciales is home to vividly coloured reef walls teeming with marine life, as well as seasonal aggregations of nurse sharks. The surrounding islands offer everything from submerged cliffs and drop-offs to the sunken HMS Endymion on Salt Cay.
For more information about diving in Turks and Caicos, check out our detailed guide here.
Eco-friendly dive resorts in Turks and Caicos
Beach Enclave
This collection of luxurious beach houses and villas in Providenciales has won multiple awards. In our opinion, it’s one of the most eco-friendly resorts in Turks and Caicos.
During the construction process, the developers went to great lengths to preserve the natural landscape (namely by moving and replanting indigenous trees). Additionally, they designed the villas to harness the power of renewable energy.
Each features a domestic solar water heating system and the solar-powered pool pumps reduce the hotel’s reliance on traditional electricity.
COMO Parrot Cay
Sprawling across 1,000 unspoiled acres is this award-winning private island retreat. It offers guests the ultimate in luxury and seclusion.
The resort’s accommodations, ranging from peaceful beach houses to expansive private residences, are all designed with a minimalist, airy aesthetic.
This eco-friendly Turks and Caicos resort is deeply committed to preserving the local biodiversity and reducing its environmental impact. Following construction, the owners retained 85% of the island as protected marine wetlands and mangroves for native wildlife habitat.
Saint Lucia
Best place for pinnacle diving in the Caribbean
Saint Lucia’s volcanic origins have imbued its underwater landscapes with a captivating topography. Jutting up from the seafloor are dramatic pinnacles, plunging walls and coral reefs that showcase the island’s dynamic geological history.
Highlights include the Keyhole Pinnacles and Anse Chastanet Reef – one of the best places to dive in the Caribbean.
Wreck aficionados can explore the 165-foot cargo vessel, the Lesleen M. The hull is now covered with sponges and hard corals.
Eco-friendly dive resorts in Saint Lucia
Anse Chastanet Resort
Nestled within a sprawling estate along the picturesque west coast of St. Lucia is this eco-friendly resort. It provides direct access to one of the island’s most gorgeous beaches.
Nature enthusiasts will love the miles of scenic mountain biking trails that wind through the estate. It also enjoys access to Scuba St. Lucia, the island’s longest-running dive centre.
Anse Chastanet Resort has been upholding sustainable practices for years. This includes everything from responsible water management to the use of biodegradable toiletries and fuel-efficient vehicles.
Fond Doux Eco Resort
Set on a 19th-century working cocoa plantation, Fond Doux Eco Resort is a shining example of sustainable tourism done right.
This eco-friendly St. Lucia resort embraces renewable energy, water conservation and organic farming practices that help to minimise its environmental impact. It also encourages guests to participate in tree planting projects.
Fond Doux features a handful of charming cottages. All have been preserved and renovated using locally sourced materials, allowing you to experience authentic Caribbean architecture and design.
Dominican Republic
Best place to swim with humpback whales in the Caribbean
The Dominican Republic has long been considered one of the best places to dive in the Caribbean. It’s home to the captivating Airport Wall and stunning Paradise Reef.
Among its underwater highlights, Bayahibe stands out as one of the most beloved locations. It’s home to caves, wrecks and deep dives that cater to divers of all skill levels.
Beginners can safely explore the shallow wreck of the Atlantic Princess, while deep-certified divers can venture down into Saint George. For the chance to swim alongside humpback whales, head north to Silver Bank.
Eco-friendly dive resorts in the Dominican Republic
Eden Roc Cap Cana
Blending architectural traditions of the French and Italian Riviera with the historic charm of Spanish colonial design, this eco-friendly Dominican resort is a five-star Relais & Chateaux property.
It offers holistic wellness experiences, from the diverse culinary offerings at its three on-site restaurants to the indulgent treatments and therapies available at the luxurious Solaya Spa.
Complementing the resort’s high-end amenities is its commitment to sustainable practices. This is evidenced by its Green Key and Green Globe certifications. It encompasses water recycling, energy efficiency and responsible waste management.
Ocean Blue and Sand
This all-inclusive Dominican Republic resort occupies a prime stretch of beach near Punta Cana. It boasts everything from refined dining experiences (there are nine unique restaurants) to pampering spa treatments.
Aside from its well-appointed rooms and suites, there’s an on-site dive centre offering easily accessible diving nearby.
As part of its sustainability commitments to the Stay Green program, this eco-friendly Dominican hotel is powered 100% by renewable energies and contributes to local community projects.
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