News
Dive into the Caribbean
Home to so many of our favourite dive destinations, the Caribbean is packed with an amazing variety of underwater adventures and incredible topside experiences. There is so much to do and see across the colourful islands of the Caribbean! Each destination has its own characteristics and charm but the warm welcome you will receive as a visitor is guaranteed each and every time.
Read on for some of our highly recommended dive spots and enjoy your next dive travel adventure Caribbean-style…
All Star Liveaboards – Exuma Cays, Bahamas
Tel: + 1 954 734 7111
Email: info@allstarliveaboards.com
Web: https://allstarliveaboards.com/bahamas-liveaboard-diving/
All Star Liveaboards is celebrating 42 years of business, making them the longest running liveaboard company in the world. We’ve explored all corners of the Bahamas both above and below the surface.
The best dive sites we found were in the pristine waters of the Exuma Cays, one of first marine parks in the world and home to some of the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean. In the Exuma Cays, divers can enjoy vertical walls, blue hole, swift drifts like the washing machine, wrecks, and reefs with large schools of jacks, magnificent macro, and frequent shark sightings.
All Star’s Bahamas fleet includes all levels of luxury from Blackbeard’s Cruises dormitory-style accommodations, to the ultimate luxury liveaboard – the Aqua Cat.
“Twice the fun, Half the Cost!” Blackbeard’s is just that. Divers compare it to camping at sea, but with air-conditioning. The open-air sailboat makes guests feel a closer connection to the water, the ability to disconnect and form new friendships with like-minded travellers onboard. All-inclusive for just $1,055 includes up to 19 dives, all meals, beverages and accommodations.
Guests looking for more space and amenities…. Look no further than the Cat Ppalu. This 65ft. catamaran accommodates 12 guests in 6 private cabins. Cat Ppalu is the perfect vessel for small groups or family charters. Dive, snorkel and explore uninhabited islands by kayaks or paddleboard.
For those that want the ultimate luxury liveaboard, book a trip aboard the Aqua Cat. This 102 ft. catamaran offers spacious cabins with en suite bath, large windows and ample storage. Aqua Cat also has a 28ft jet drive boat to escort guests to a variety of shore excursions, eco-adventures and water sport activities. No matter which vessel you choose, All Star Bahamas will deliver a 5-star experience.
Facebook: @allstarliveaboards | Instagram: @allstarliveaboards
Barbados Blue, Barbados
Tel: +1 246 230 3064 (WhatsApp)
Email: info@divebarbadosblue.com
Web: www.divebarbadosblue.com
Owned and operated by PADI AmbassaDiver, Andre Miller, the Barbados Blue team is ready to welcome you to share our passion for adventure, exploration and love for the underwater world.
As a PADI AWARE partner, we are dedicated to teaching ecology while doing our part to help our oceans. With a variety of eco-minded projects, we are able to get all those who enjoy our beautiful shores and 365 days of warm water diving to come find out what we’re doing – and join in! We are honoured to be recipients of the PADI Global Ambassador for Conservation and the Green Star Award.
Based at the Hilton Resort in Carlisle Bay, we offer Daily Diving, Training and Groups Trips to over 30 dive sites, most of which are just minutes from the shop, keeping the trips relaxed and back in time for topside adventures or happy hour relaxation. Sea turtles, seahorses, rays, barracudas and east coast sharks are regular visitors for our divers and snorkelers in our brag worthy beautiful Barbados Blue tropical clear visibility.
To extend the adventure we have a sister dive shop, Eco Dive in Grenada, on the famous Grand Anse Beach. Between our island-hopping shops we share the claim to fame of being the southern Caribbean’s first and premier PADI Freediving and Coral First Aid Centres. For the more adventurous diver, ask us about a Grenadines cruise on MV Mojito and dive your way from Barbados to Grenada on a bucket list trip of a lifetime.
Ask us how you can help save a reef or experience the bubble free bliss of freediving; we can change your life. Join us for an experience you won’t forget!
Special Offer
We want to show off our Marine Park, so we will give any 10 dive package and higher a Free 2pm dive for every paid diver (50% off). For every 6th diver, we will comp the “lucky 7th” diver.
We are the only PADI Five Star Resorts that can teach the PADI Coral Reef First Aid courses and for every 6 students we shall comp the 7th student.
Facebook: @BarbadosBlue | Instagram: @barbados_blue
Buddy Dive Resort – Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
Tel: +599 717 5080
Email: info@buddydive.com
Web: www.buddydive.com
Buddy Dive Resort is a full-service dive resort and 5 Star PADI Career Development Centre that has something to offer for every diver and leisure traveller.
The spacious studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments have air-conditioned bedrooms, a kitchen, and every bedroom has its own bathroom, plus either a porch or balcony with views of the blue ocean or tropical garden.
The dive shop houses a full retail and equipment rental centre. Buddy Dive’s professional dive team can teach all types of courses from open water to complete instructor development courses. The comfortable dive boats depart three times a day to explore those dive sites not accessible from shore. For those that want to explore the shore dive sites of shore dive paradise Bonaire, the unique two-lane Drive Thru air and nitrox filling station offers you the convenience of picking up your dive tanks daily. Additionally, Buddy Dive offers a full-service technical diving facility.
Complete with 2 restaurants, 2 swimming pools and 2 raised sand beaches, you will have everything in place to make your (dive) vacation one to remember. The resort’s very own rental fleet allows you the flexibility of exploring the island at your own pace.
When booking the famous Drive & Dive package you will have everything needed for a successful week of diving: Accommodation, daily breakfast buffet, airport transfers, shore diving with unlimited air and nitrox (plus optional boat dives) and a rental vehicle.
Our Drive & Dive package includes:
- 7 nights in selected accommodation
- 7 days rental vehicle
- 6 days of unlimited shore diving
- Free Nitrox upgrade
- American style breakfast daily
- Free Wifi
- Airport transfers
- All government taxes.
Facebook: @buddydiveresort | Instagram: @buddydiveresort
Don Foster’s Dive Cayman Ltd – Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Tel: +1 345 938 4000
Email: dfdops@donfosters.com
Web: www.donfosters.com
Don Foster’s Dive Cayman 2.0 – Eco friendly, knowledgeable & passionate!
We are prepared to receive visitors. We are taking bookings for boat diving, shore diving and Scuba lessons. Our Dive Instructors are ready to teach and our Guides ready to show you the world below the waves. Our staff have over ten years of experience diving our waters and are fully vaccinated!
DFD 2.0 is a smaller version of a grand icon of the dive industry. Our passion towards diving and the Ocean continues to grow. With a strong orientation toward Underwater Photography, we commit ourselves to search for the hard-to-find creatures and fish.
We have introduced Black Water Diving to the Cayman Islands and are the sole providers of this unique experience.
For experienced (and self-sufficient) divers, our new “Tanks4Calling” allows you to reserve tanks for shore diving from our facility, at any time.
We are oriented to provide great diving opportunities with our two dive vessels, Cayman Wall and Cayman Sky, as well as spectacular shore diving and snorkeling from our waterfront location. “Casuarina Point Reef” offers great wall & shallow dives. Adjacent to Devil’s Grotto, one of most famous shore dives.
Keep learning. Keep exploring. Keep diving!
Special Offer
- Exclusive 10% discounted on all dive packages and courses when you quote the code DFDSV001.
Facebook: @donfostersdive | Instagram: @donfostersdive
Dive Travel Curaçao – Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean
Tel: +5999 699 5297 (WhatsApp)
Email: reservations@divecuracao.info
Web: www.divecuracao.info
Are you thinking about your next Caribbean dive vacation? With so many incredible world-class destinations to choose from it is understandable that you may be unsure, or even confused, where to start? Well keep reading because diving in Curaçao should be on your list.
Why? Because if you are looking for amazing diving accommodations, adventure, healthy and vibrant fringing coral reef systems, world class boat and shore diving plus a diverse range of underwater landscapes then visit Dive Curacao today to start discovering the endless possibilities that Curacao has to offer for your next Caribbean diving vacation getaway!
BUT where are the BEST dive resorts in Curaçao? Of course accommodation will always play a prominent role in any travel experience. That is why Dive Travel Curacao has partnered with the BEST Curaçao Dive Resorts, Hotels and Apartments for individual divers, groups, families, and your friends.
At Dive Travel Curacao we are committed to provide our clients with a high level of service, a responsibility for dive safety, excellent value & wonderful accommodations. Let our expert Dive Travel team guide you in planning your next Caribbean dive vacation today. Contact us directly for individual curated dive vacations or customized group travel packages.
It’s time to Dive Curacao! Dive in and discover amazing Sleep and Dive experience packages at the best Curaçao dive resorts today!
Whether it is LionsDive Beach Resort or Sunscape Curacao Beach Resort, these best in class dive resorts are committed to delivering you the highest-quality Curacao dive experience in combination with Ocean Encounters, the on-site dive shop.
Start thinking of packing your mask, fins, dive computer, certification card and your thirst for adventure as you consider traveling to Curacao, one of the best overall scuba diving destinations in the Caribbean and Atlantic region for 2022. WHY? Because Curaçao is an incredible Dutch Caribbean island that is a world class scuba diving and vacation destination! We invite you to visit Dive Travel Curaçao and let us help you discover Curaçao so you can “feel it for yourself”!
Facebook: @divetravelcuracao | YouTube: @DiveCuracao
Nature Island Dive – Soufriere, Dominica
Tel: +1 767 245 6505
Email: natureislanddive@gmail.com
Web: www.natureislanddive.com
Nature Island Dive is located in Soufriere, Dominica within the Soufriere Scott’s Head Marine Reserve.
We offer scuba diving, dive certification courses and snorkeling in the beautiful southwest of the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica.
Our passion is the sea and we love to share it with you! Our conservation efforts include Lionfish control, reef surveys and monitoring, marine environment protection and more. We believe everyone should be able to enjoy the incredible beauty of Dominica’s underwater world, so we work hard every day both to preserve it and to introduce people to it.
We are well-known for diving in small groups and for our personalised customer service. Once you hand us your gear, we take care of it for you for the rest of your stay: we set it up on the boat each day, and then we rinse, dry and store it for you until the next day.
Our team has been diving in the Marine Reserve since 1994 and we have a bucketful of expertise: fish Id, coral ID, conservation, marine protection, underwater photography and lionfish control to name a few areas.
Our on-premises cafe serves Lionfish Sandwiches, Fresh Ground Coffee and Local Fruit Smoothies. WiFi included!
Dive Package Special
How about one of the best value dive packages in the region?
- 10 dives per person with the amazing dive team from Nature Island Dive
- 7 Nights Accommodation at a fully equipped apartment within easy walking distance of the Dive Center.
We transport your gear to and from the Apartment on your first and last day of diving. Airport Transfers and Marine Park User Fees are also included.
The best diving in the Caribbean, with an amazing dive team, short boat rides and the best fresh ground coffee on the island… Are you ready?
Facebook: @natureislanddive | Instagram: @natureislanddivers
Eco Dive – Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique
Tel: +1 473 405 7777 (WhatsApp)
Email: info@ecodivegrenada.com
Web: www.ecodivegrenada.com
Established on the Spice Isle, Grenada in 1996, Eco Dive is locally owned and operated since 2009 by Marine Biologists Christine Finney (PADI Torchbearer Award Winner 2022) and Andre Miller (PADI AmbassaDiver).
Located on Grand Anse Beach, voted the #1 World’s Best Beaches by CN Travel, Eco Dive is a full service 5-Star PADI 100% AWARE Scuba Diving and Freediving Centre offering training options in both English and French. Based at the beautiful family run Coyaba Beach Resort and the new all-inclusive Royalton Grenada, Eco Dive is ideally located for short boat trips to Grenada’s best dive sites. Our services include Daily Tours in Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, PADI training and private custom charters on MV Mojito with reach to our out-islands to get off the beaten path.
Grenada offers an incredible variety of diving and we can customise packages to your requirements offering wreck diving, beautiful healthy coral reef diving, exploration of the underwater sculpture park, drift diving, summer shark diving, nice long profiles, and small professionally guided groups.
We love what we do and hope that you will join us.
Our goals are safe, fun and professional activities that increase our awareness and appreciation of the natural world. We take a lot of pride in Grenada’s natural marine beauty and are proud Green Star Award recipients and supporters of the PADI AWARE and local youth scholarship programmes. We also offer research volunteer opportunities and Coral First Aid Distinctive Specialty training with our in-house Marine Biologists.
With our sister shop, Barbados Blue Watersports, we are the southern Caribbean’s premier Scuba Diving and Freediving Centres.
Come visit Pure Grenada and join us for some Pure Diving!
Special Offer
Book a 10+ dive package (between May and October) in advance and get two free afternoon dives:
- Afternoon 1-tank boat dive
- Complimentary guided shore dive to explore the patch reefs and seagrass bed habitats in front of the dive shop.
Facebook: @EcoDiveGrenada | Instagram: @eco_dive_grenada
Golden Rock Dive Center – St Eustatius (aka Statia), Dutch Caribbean
Tel: +1 307 660 8001 (WhatsApp)
Email: info@goldenrockdive.com
Web: www.goldenrockdive.com
At Golden Rock Dive Center (GRDC), we pride ourselves on being the “Small, Friendly, and Flexible” dive shop. We specialize in small groups of divers offering quality service without the ego. Our customers experience an authentic island get-away without mass tourism. We offer a relaxed atmosphere where our divers get to dive the way they want, and students have the quality time with their instructors. Our customers leave feeling like family, not just another diver on an over-crowded boat.
With over 1000 hectares of protected coral reef, we have almost as much reef environment as Bonaire and Saba combined. Along with the authentic and safe island experiences, coming to Statia is like stepping back into the Caribbean 30 years ago.
Diving on Statia is very diversified with sites for all levels and interests. With over 30 dives sites, most on moorings, Statia boasts several dive ecosystems: new wrecks (including the Charles L. Brown and a night dive on The Chien Tong), historic archeological sites with anchors, blue beads, and bottles from the 1700 and 1800’s, well preserved coral encrusted lava flows, and more… all under the protection of the St. Eustatius Marine Park and Reserve since 1997.
Dive Package Special
- 10% off dive/hotel packages when booked directly with Golden Rock Dive Center for 2 or more divers. Prices starting at $1161USD.
Dive at GRDC and stay at either Old Gin House or the brand-new Golden Rock Resort!
For travel by July 31, 2022. Maximum 12 pax. Contact us for more details.
Facebook: @GoldenRockDiveCenter | YouTube: @GoldenRockDiveCenter
Dive Antilles – St Vincent and the Grenadines
Tel: +1 784 527 3406
Email: info@diveantilles.com
Web: www.diveantilles.com
Come discover the gem of the Antilles. At Dive Antilles you will be treated like part of the family. We are a 5* PADI dive shop based on the beautiful Villa beach in St. Vincent.
We offer unbeatable service while making sure you have a safe and unforgettable experience. We mainly cater to small groups, making sure we can give you the best and most personal service possible. However we can also cater for larger group bookings for dive clubs on request.
St. Vincent has some of the best diving in the Caribbean, with healthy reefs, an abundance of schooling fish and a variety of dive sites which include wrecks, walls and shallow reefs. St Vincent is the perfect place for beginners and advanced divers alike; we truly have something for everyone. The Island also has a lot to offer above the water. If you enjoy secluded beaches, hikes and waterfalls then this is the place for you, so come and see it for yourself!
Special Offer
For just $630 USD we offer 5 days of 2 tank boat dives, giving you a 10% discount off our normal rate. This package can be made even better if you are bringing your own equipment, making it just $540USD! If you are also looking for a place to stay we can add on a hotel package as well. Contact us to find out more!
Facebook: @diveantilles | Instagram: @diveantilles
Tobago Dive Experience – Speyside, Tobago
Tel: +1 868 474 7904 (WhatsApp)
Email: Tobagodiveexperience@gmail.com
Web: www.tobagodiveexperience.com
Tobago is bathed by the influx of the Guyana current, which transports the nutrient-rich waters of Venezuela’s Orinoco River to the reefs lying off Tobago’s shores. Waiting to consume the seemingly endless supply of nutrients is an abundance of reef fish living in one of the most breathtaking ecosystems the Caribbean has to offer. Tobago is also one of the few places in the Caribbean that you can see Mantas!
Tobago Dive Experience are based in Speyside and are ready to provide for all of your diving needs, from scuba diving, snorkeling and full PADI and NAUI training!
Dive Package Special
- 7 night package includes round trip airport transfers, oceanfront accommodations (full kitchen, airco, WiFi), continental breakfast daily, 10 one tank boat dives, gear and all taxes. £775 Diver Rate/£345 Non Diver Rate
- 14 night package includes round trip airport transfers, oceanfront accommodations (full kitchen, airco, WiFi), continental breakfast daily, 20 one tank boat dives, gear and all taxes. £1500 Diver Rate/£600 Non Diver Rate
One and Two Bedroom apartments are available. Contact us for single, triple and quad occupancy. The oversized two bedroom suites are ideal for families or friends travelling together.
We specialise in small groups and offer great booking incentives for groups over 7 people.
Facebook: @tobagodiveexperience | Instagram: @tobagodiveexperience
Marine Life & Conservation
Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Gear News
Introducing the RS Series Drysuit from DYNAMICNORD
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.
The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
-
Blogs3 months ago
Gozo: An Underwater Treasure Trove in the Heart of the Mediterranean
-
News2 weeks ago
Iconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
Blogs2 months ago
NovoScuba’s Game-Changing Approach for Dive Store Owners: WE PAY YOU!
-
News1 month ago
Book Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
News3 months ago
Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving by Howard Rosenstein available now
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months ago
Book Review: Sharkpedia
-
Gear News1 month ago
DYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News4 weeks ago
Exploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream