Finding the right scuba diving and sailing destinations is a very subjective matter, depending on the preferences of the individual. There are numerous premier diving spots around the world, and plenty of sailing and diving spots.
Scuba diving spots abound throughout the world. You can check out a scuba diving spot in Africa, Asia, Australia, or in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. You could possibly select South America, Central America or the Caribbean. How about North America, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, or the Red Sea?
Though your individual geographical location, your getaway time and your funds may restrict which scuba diving and sailing destinations you can sensibly expect to travel to, it won’t do any harm to set up a wish-list for yourself, and you may prefer to add the following dive and sail destinations to that list. This write-up will concentrate on dive locations as well as with Cruise Ship destinations and ports of call. During in the 1980’s and well until the late 90’s used to feature a number of diving subject cruises, however, they have disappeared in both popularity and offerings. Yet it is still a very beneficial endeavor. You’ll need to spend some upfront time in choosing both a cruise and a dive tours(s) that appeal to you. Firstly, it enables both the avid diver to be able to follow their needs, while providing the non-diver friends, family members, and significant others with some fairly great activities, while you’re exploring the down-under!!
Although individual costs for dive tours will run the gambit based on your particular needs and wants, you can usually expect to pay anywhere from an average of $75 to $135 per diver for a reasonable dive tour, while you might even find some “last minute” discounts for cash if you’re just seeking to take a chance and walking up on a day of deal. Equally Diving, and Sailing in the Caribbean are popular, the weather is fairly good, and they both provide very well-developed facilities and numerous choices. Yes Diving and Sailing the Caribbean definitely ticks all the boxes, but you’ll still be faced with just where in the Caribbean you will ultimately end up.
Caribbean scuba diving top spots
The Caymans (Western Caribbean Cruises)
Large on the list would have to be Grand Cayman, part of the Cayman Islands, a team of 3 islands situated south of Florida in the Caribbean. The primary island is Grand Cayman, and its 2 sister islands are Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. This Caribbean scuba diving spot has been ranked number three on the PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Network’s report on preferred scuba spots. Grand Cayman has great water visibility, superb amenities, and is well-known for its themed dives at spots like Stingray City, where one can swim in 12 to 15 feet of water with as many as 50 Southern stingrays surrounding you.
Wall diving is another element of Caribbean scuba diving in Grand Cayman, and the North Wall provides wall diving from around 90 feet. Nearer to the surface, the drop-off at Little Cayman’s Bloody Bay starts at a shallow 18 feet, then descends deliberately to over 1,000 feet. Here the Caribbean scuba diving coral-lover will be in their aspect. Overall, Grand Cayman suits all levels of diver, and there are lots of activities when ever you’re out on water.
Bonaire (Southern Caribbean Cruises – Out of San Juan)
The Caymans aren’t the sole Caribbean scuba diving spots ideal for all levels of divers. The shallow diving of Bonaire, in the Dutch Antilles, is ranked No. 2 on the PADI Network’s list of popular scuba destinations, thanks to the amazing shapes and colours in the reefs there.
Caribbean scuba diving journeys may take some organizing, so it’s good to find out that Bonaire lies southwest of the regular hurricane belt, the sun stands out nearly every day, and many diving occurs on the island’s 24-mile leeward west side where the waters are generally tranquil.
Additionally, all the sites close to Bonaire are accessible from the beach, as Bonaire’s enormous reef system starts just a couple hundred feet offshore which is a scarcity in the Caribbean and a great boon if a non-diver is accompanying you on your Caribbean scuba diving holiday. This characteristic also creates Bonaire an excellent location to become dive-certified, as instruction can be performed in safe shallows.
Cozumel (Western Caribbean Cruises)
The biggest of the Mexican Caribbean’s group of islands, Cozumel is only twelve miles away from Mexico’s Yucatan shoreline and could probably must be on your Caribbean scuba diving wish-list, being ranked No. 1 by the PADI Travel Network. Cozumel boasts the clearest water in the Caribbean, with visibility never less than 100 feet and quite often over 200 feet. The only stop for thought could be if you’re a newbie simply because you may discover the actual current a bit unnerving, as Cozumel is renowned for its drift diving.
Currents running through the main reefs on the leeward coast give the ideal conditions for the enthusiastic drift diver, and it is these currents that deliver the nutrients that allow the reefs to grow so wonderfully. Overall there are 19 scuba diving reef spots that appeal to all tastes, including remarkable swim-throughs with a wonderful selection of marine life. Cave divers can consider a quick hop to the scuba diving areas on the mainland where they can plunge the freshwater caves referred to as cenotes.
Cozumel isn’t just a premier destination for scuba diving, but also a fantastic all-around fun getaway with luxury accommodation and buzzing night life.
Cocos Island
If your notion of a Carribbean diving scuba trip is shifting from motorboat to water back to motorboat, then the Costa Rican Cocos Island will probably appeal because this island is over 300 miles from the Costa Rican coastline and boat-living is a necessity. PADI ranked this Caribbean scuba diving location No. 6 because of to the simplicity of seeing the most amazing marine wildlife. Dive owners consider the Cocos Island to be among the finest large animal dive spots in the world. Better to be sure you’re starting or ending your cruise trip journey in San Juan (and have ample 5 to 7 days time on your hands) if you desire to do this dive experience, as its at least a 13-hour motorboat trip just to get there.
Belize (Western Caribbean Cruises)
Belize is often a largely undiscovered gem for Caribbean scuba diving lovers, even though its barrier reef is 185 miles in size, which makes it the biggest in the Western Hemisphere.
Diving is conducted on the reef and around the atolls and cayes (pronounced keys). For the more adventurous, a 60-mile trip off the coast will take you to the Lighthouse Reef system, where the famous Blue Hole is situated. No one on a Caribbean scuba diving trip to Belize will want to overlook this – a nearly ideal hole a quarter mile wide that descends up and down over 400 feet.
Aruba (Southern Caribbean Cruises)
This is the suitable area for a Caribbean scuba diving vacation if you have a penchant for discovering wrecks. Aruba has the biggest of all Caribbean wrecks, the 400 foot German freighter known as the “Antilla”, scuttled in the Second World War. All of the dive sites are typically accessible, as the island is only 19 miles by 5 miles, and there are 30 primary wreck and reef dives to discover.
Saba (Southern & Eastern Caribbean Cruises – stopping in St. Maarten)
Saba is one of the Windward Islands of the Dutch Caribbean, and it is called “The Unspoiled Queen” because it’s not crowded by visitors. It is best recognized for massive underwater pinnacles that rise to within 80 feet of the surface, and as well provides underwater lava tunnels and hot springs.
Wherever you voyage on your Caribbean scuba diving getaway, you probably can’t go far wrong. And don’t take this as a defined list; bear in mind there are lots of other great scuba diving spots that have not been described here, including St Lucia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Your own choice relies on what you want from a scuba diving destination. That may be an opportunity to swim around and into wrecks, or discover the most wonderful coral reefs. You should embark deep in a Blue Hole and marvel at its geological improbability, or swim with sharks and dolphins and be flanked by a myriad of marine life.
Other Popular Spots to Cruise and Dive
Bahamas
The Bahamas is in fact an chain of 700 islands, and no matter what your diving tastes, you’ll find an answer anywhere in the Bahamas. Submerged Spanish galleons, blue openings, marine caves, coral reefs, and marine life in large quantity are usually awaiting the enthusiastic Caribbean scuba diving traveler.
Florida
The number of dive shops you’ll find along the Gulf coast and Atlantic coast confirm to the fact that this is the finest and most preferred scuba diving spot in North America. Marine life is a large attraction, and scuba divers are able to swim along with giant turtles, manatees, sharks, tropical fish, rays and dolphins. For Americans, this is definitely the simplest destination to reach for scuba diving, and that may undoubtedly play a component in its success as a scuba diving destination. In relation to visibility, the Gulf coast is much better, but you will discover a huge assortment of wrecks and reefs on the Atlantic Coast, and if you prefer warmer water and more spectacular marine life, then the Florida Keys may possibly be your best port of call.
Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
The scuba diving placement of Grand Turk is located over the southern tip of the Bahamas, and gains from being sheltered from heavy currents. Visibility is near to excellence throughout the year. Marine life, such as manta rays, can be found here in large quantity, and it is a premier spot for wall diving where coral and sponges enhance the walls that descend thousands of feet.
Hawaii
Hawaii is not the best scuba diving location for visibility, being more exposed than many areas, but there’s lots to make up for this. Aquatic life conquer your day around Hawaii, simply because of its rich volcanic ecosystem, and scuba divers is able to see massive sea turtles, large stingrays, sharks and whales all over the coasts. Needless to say, Hawaii’s tourist facilities cannot be bettered, so it is far more than a great scuba diving location
Fiji Islands, South Pacific
The scuba diving spot of Fiji is generally known as the Soft Coral Capital of the World offers a diverse and amazing diving experience. Water conditions and visibility are second-to-none all year round, and the colorful coral clusters prove a draw for professional and amateur underwater photography lovers alike. It is here that you will find the Great White Wall, the Yellow Tunnel and other underwater elements.
Heron Island, Australia (Great Barrier Reef)
Any write-up on scuba diving sites can’t pass without mention of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and one area you might want to discover is Heron Island. This is a quiet coral island that climbs up above the reef and offers wonderful snorkeling and diving possibilities just off the shoreline.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu is situated east of Australia between New Zealand and Southeast Asia, and is a scuba diving area with a magnificent selection of marine life and diving activities. Caverns, wrecks, swim-throughs, overhangs, surfaces, lava podiums, coral formations, and under the sea grottoes all hang on the scuba diver who’s thrilled to endeavor more.
Koh Tao Island, Thailand
This is recognized as a preferred destination for divers who enjoy colourful reefs and the more pulse-racing expertise in swimming with Whalesharks and Grey Reef Sharks. A scuba diving place that’s also an proven traveler destination, one drawback for the responsible scuba diver is that marine preservation may take a backseat to bringing in the cash, with shark-hunting trips provided as an official activity.
Maldives, Arabian Sea
This is undoubtedly a preferred for divers who long for “a little less talk, and a lot more action”. Acknowledged as among the world’s premier shark swim-ins that can easily be found it’s safe (pardon the pun) to say that this area sure ain’t no petting zoo down there!
Summing up
It is hoped that this post may have been able to give you some thoughts at least on where to start or focus your search efforts on planning your next diving-cruise journey. Dive Safe, and enjoy the rest of world that many people never get the opportunity to find out!! One Last Note: Please be sure you tip your dive masters, as regularly, this is how they’re making their living.
