Vast and varied both above and below the water, the Caribbean is the ultimate dive resort destination. With its laid-back beachfront bungalows to exclusive sea-view villas, you're sure to have a rejuvenating stay. They're also the perfect launchpad to dive into vibrant coral reefs, explore forgotten shipwrecks or encounter hammerhead sharks and playful dolphins. For a change of scenery, snorkel or kayak your way along the Caribbean coast. Already slipping into your wetsuit? Read on for our roundup of the best Caribbean dive resorts…
Small Hope Bay, The Bahamas
Small Hope Bay Lodge is kicking off our list of the best Caribbean dive resorts. Located just off Andros Island in the blissful Bahamas, this family-run resort has hosted happy guests for over 60 years. Prepare for your diving adventure by relaxing in one of the eco-resort's 18 private beachfront cabins, just steps from the sand. Feeling well rested? It's time to dive beneath the glassy waters and explore the 124-mile-long Andros Barrier Reef (the world's third-largest reef). With over 60 dive sites nearby, you'll see an abundance of marine life and mysterious underwater caves. After close encounters with Caribbean reef sharks and southern stingrays, take a breather and kayak or cycle along the shore to see the island from a new perspective.
Harbour Village, Bonaire
Walk along Bonaire's palm-fringed coastline and you'll stumble upon Harbour Village. Tucked away between a private pearly beach and a yacht marina, its spacious villas, stylish suites and serene beach houses offer seriously scenic views. While Bonaire is renowned for its world-class shore diving, Harbour Village also offers excellent boat diving experiences. Witness the waters come alive with over 470 species of fish, swim past dazzling coral reefs and discover sunken shipwrecks. With 86 dive sites to explore, you're spoilt for choice. Keen to make an impact? Join in with Harbour Village's conservation project and help transplant corals to the house reef - you can even return each year to watch your efforts flourish.
Southern Cross Club, Little Cayman
Next up on our list of the best Caribbean dive resorts is Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman. Small but mighty, 75% of Little Cayman's shoreline is protected by the local Department of Environment, preserving its unspoilt scenery. Choose from one of 14 picturesque beach bungalows dotted along the sand, each with views of South Hole Sound (an enclosed lagoon). Whether you're new to diving or a seasoned pro, the resort offers something for everyone, from shallow reefs to vertical walls at Bloody Bay Wall, where stingrays, spotted eagle rays and the occasional grey reef sharks make an appearance. More than just a great dive resort, Southern Cross Club is also a top-notch fishing destination, with resident bonefish, permits and tarpons drawing fishing enthusiasts from far and wide.
Mount Cinnamon, Grenada
Perched on the southern tip of Grenada, Mount Cinnamon offers easy access to the island's best dive sites. From your hillside villa or suite, admire the pretty panoramas of Grand Anse Beach and the Caribbean Sea. Then, savour dishes at Savvy's open-air clubhouse or the Beach Cabana, made with ingredients from the resort's garden - it doesn't get more local than that. To ramp up the adventure, head 25 minutes north to Molinere Bay, home to the world's first underwater sculpture park. Dive or snorkel among the 75 submerged statues, keeping an eye out for hawksbill turtles, angelfish and parrot fish. For more variety, Grenada's volcanic coastline offers reef, wreck, drift and photographic diving - all just a ten-minute boat trip from the resort.
Bimini Big Game Club, The Bahamas
Ready to dive with great hammerhead sharks? Bimini Big Game Club has you covered. Nestled in a charming marina in the Bahamas, this boutique resort is just a short stroll from the island's powdery beaches. Hop aboard a dive boat (one even boasts a glass bottom) and head out to the Hammerhead site for a late morning or early afternoon dive. After your close-up encounter with these ocean giants, explore colourful corals and blue holes, where you might spot dolphins and eagle rays. With that bucket-list dive ticked off, it's time to try kayaking. Glide through the lush mangrove-lined lagoons and creeks that wrap around Bimini Island. Heavenly.
COMO Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos
Hidden on a private island, COMO Parrot Cay is the jewel in the Turks and Caicos crown. Stylish and secluded, choose from airy suites, beach houses and chic villas where private pools and balconies are the norm. Divers can explore the pristine reefs and mystical marine life, with sharks, lobsters and shimmering schools of fish waiting beneath the water's surface. Need a break from diving? Fear not, this boutique property is jam-packed with relaxing facilities. From nine spa treatment rooms and two tennis courts to a dedicated yoga pavilion and a private Pilates hut, there's no shortage of ways to unwind.
