News
Start Exploring: 7 Great Caribbean Dive Spots for New Divers
The Caribbean, with its turquoise waters and abundant marine life, is a great place for new divers to start exploring the wonders of the ocean and build their dive confidence. From shallow coral reefs full of life to easy wreck dives, the region’s dive destinations offer plenty for new divers to tackle. Join us as we delve into eight great dive spots in the Caribbean.
Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel, an island off Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, is a diver’s paradise boasting a designated marine sanctuary. Efforts to protect its marine life have contributed to a thriving underwater ecosystem there. Topside, there are white sand beaches to relax on, and the coral reefs are bustling with marine life.
Diving in Cozumel offers exceptional visibility and calm water conditions, making it an excellent choice for beginners. With an abundance of shore diving sites, encountering Cozumel’s diverse marine life also couldn’t be easier. Among its marine residents, divers can encounter three species of sea turtles, plus plenty of reef fish.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
With a range of dive centers available, Grand Cayman is a great destination for new divers who want to explore world-class reefs whilst completing an advanced diver certification.
Vibrant coral gardens, such as Eden Rock and Devil’s Grotto, showcase Grand Cayman’s colorful corals and offer easy dives. And if there are seasoned divers in your group, Grand Cayman’s wall dives is a must. Every diver should also take a trip to Stingray City to go swimming with friendly southern stingrays in their natural habitat.
Roatán, Honduras
Tucked among the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Roatán boasts some of the Caribbean’s most diverse marine protected areas. Roatán’s warm waters and gentle currents make it a welcoming destination for new divers.
As the first shark sanctuary in the Americas, Honduras takes pride in its commitment to shark conservation. Divers may encounter various harmless shark species there, including reef sharks and nurse sharks. There are also some accessible wrecks, making it a great place to try wreck diving.
Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos is another top Caribbean destination for abundant marine life and has gently sloping reefs that provide an excellent starting point for new divers. You can work on your dive skills without the pressure of drop-offs and walls.
Grace Bay sits in the Princess Alexandra National Park and has calm waters with a sandy seafloor, and it hosts beautiful spotted eagle rays. It is well worth a visit between your dives or for a day relaxing at the beach.
Bonaire
Bonaire is a new diver’s dream come true. With over 60 dive sites, most of which are easy shore dives, plus year-round coral reef diving, this Caribbean Island is hard to beat!
The people of Bonaire take marine conservation seriously and are famous for their conservation efforts. The Bonaire National Marine Park encompasses all of the island’s waters and is one of the oldest marine reserves in the world. Go Bonaire diving and you will be immersed in thriving underwater ecosystems with healthy corals, sea turtles, and plenty of reef fish.
Bonaire’s “Drive and Dive” concept allows divers to explore independently, adding a sense of freedom to every dive. Simply grab your gear and tanks with a buddy or dive guide, hire a car, and explore at your own pace. It’s a great way to boost your dive confidence and skills without the pressure of being part of a large dive group.
Dominica
Dominica, the Nature Island of the Caribbean, has reefs covered in vibrant sponges and corals that host plenty of macro life. Champagne Reef, named for its effervescent underwater springs, provides a magical experience diving among bubbling vents. If you want to try coral reef diving, this is a great spot to visit.
But swimming with sperm whales is surely the most sought-after experience in Dominica. This island is home to over 200 resident sperm whales, and it is the only place in the world where you can swim with these amazing whales year-round.
The British Virgin Islands
Last but not least, the British Virgin Islands are known as one of the top Caribbean destinations for all levels of diver. There is an array of reefs and wrecks to explore, and the waters are very clear.
The British Virgin Islands’ reef and wreck dive sites are busy with small fish, plus snapper, bat fish, schooling pelagic fish, and stingrays. The Baths on the southwest coast of Virgin Gorda is perfect for new divers, offering soft sands, clear blue waters, and a stunning landscape of huge granite boulders and caves. Make sure you take your camera to capture all of the marine life and landscapes you will find at this impressive national park.
Kathryn Curzon, a conservationist and dive travel writer for SSI (Scuba Schools International), wrote this article.
Header Photo: Kris-Mikael Krister
News
Dive Worldwide introduces a pair of snorkelling-only liveaboards for 2025
In response to a growing trend amongst its customers for snorkelling-specific itineraries, specialist operator Dive Worldwide is introducing two new snorkelling trips for 2025. The new liveaboard holidays, to the Coral Triangle and Maldives, offer the same exceptional marine encounters and adventurous spirit as a traditional diving holiday, but with greater accessibility for those that are unable to dive.
Commenting, Phil North, Dive Worldwide’s Brand Manager, said: “We are thrilled to be able to offer these two fabulous adventures aimed solely at snorkelling enthusiasts. From iconic animals like whale sharks and manta rays to vibrant coral reefs, much of the magic in our oceans happens in the shallows, and these wonderful experiences are now as accessible to snorkellers as well as divers.”
Dive Worldwide has the largest programme in the UK of tailor-made and small group liveaboard and resort-based diving holidays. It features over 200 destinations worldwide, catering for beginners and experienced divers alike.
NEW SNORKELLING TRIPS FOR 2025
Coral Triangle Snorkelling Adventure
This small group cruise on Indonesia’s Coral Sea is aboard the new and environmentally-friendly Bugis, which sleeps just eight guests. Made from reclaimed teak and serving locally-sourced meals, the boat aims to have the lowest environmental impact as possible, with no single-use plastic on board, and run by a synthetic fuel made from plastic waste. The Bugis offers different itineraries throughout the year, timed for the best wildlife encounters. From May through to September, the focus is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Komodo. Here, enjoy the kaleidoscopic beauty of shallow tropical reefs, swim with manta rays, and take on land expeditions to see Komodo dragons and Pink Beach. Between November and late March, the vessel is in Raja Ampat, the marine biodiversity capital which is also culturally rich on land. Highlights include colourful reefs bustling with hard and soft corals, and interaction with pelagic species.
Price: from £3,495pp based on 2 sharing, including 8 nights’ accommodation (1n Jakatra, 7n liveaboard), all meals, transfers and return flights from the UK. Departures from March 2025.
Maldives Snorkelling Conservation Cruise
These departures, exclusively for snorkellers, provide the ultimate marine life encounters with a focus on conservation and environmental awareness, all while sailing through the beautiful waters of the Maldives. The cruise’s dedicated itineraries focus on either manta rays or whale sharks, and are run in partnership with the Manta Trust and the Maldives Whale Shark Program. This allows snorkellers to encounter these magical pelagics on an intimate, immersive level, slipping all but silently into the waters next to them, and nimbly following them. Alongside the wonders of the water, there’s the chance to experience the local culture and participate in data collection in Citizen Science projects too.
Price: from £2,545pp based on 2 sharing, including 7 nights’ liveaboard, all meals, activities, guiding, transfers and return flights from the UK. Depart: 2 February, 2 March, 23 March 18 August, 4 October or 21 December 2025.
For further information visit Dive Worldwide (diveworldwide.com, 01962 302087).
News
Exclusive Shark Diving Adventure in the Maldives – Last Female Space Available!
Oyster Diving is offering one final opportunity for an unforgettable shark diving experience in the Maldives. From February 9-16, 2025, this exclusive trip, led by renowned marine biologist Dr. Elke Bojanowski, will take place aboard the luxurious Horizon III liveaboard. As a special offer, the last remaining female space is available with a £300 discount.
An Unparalleled Diving Experience
Diving enthusiasts will have the chance to explore some of the Maldives’ most spectacular dive sites while gaining insights into shark behavior and conservation from Dr. Bojanowski. Known for her expertise in shark research, Elke will guide divers through encounters with these magnificent creatures during the Maldives’ renowned ‘Shark Week.’
Luxury Aboard Horizon III
The Horizon III liveaboard is designed to provide the ultimate blend of comfort and adventure, featuring:
- 12 well-appointed cabins accommodating up to 22 divers
- A restaurant serving gourmet buffet meals
- A fully stocked bar
- A spa and sundecks for relaxation
- An open-air hot tub for post-dive unwinding
Top-Tier Dive Support
With a dedicated team of four experienced Divemasters, divers will benefit from an outstanding 1:6 ratio, ensuring personalized guidance and safety throughout the trip.
Limited Availability – Book Now!
This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to dive alongside sharks under the mentorship of a leading marine biologist. With just one female space left, interested divers are encouraged to book quickly.
For more information and reservations, click here.
Oyster Diving
📧 info@oysterdiving.com
📞 +44 (0)1273 384971
🌍 www.oysterdiving.com
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