In Depth
Reefscape Travel can recommend the right island for divers and snorkellers, with the Caribbean offering a range of scuba diving experiences. Shark enthusiasts will be thrilled by up close encounters with great hammerheads, Caribbean reef sharks and nurse sharks in the Bahamas, while the sloping reefs of Grenada showcase the reef’s gentler inhabitants; green and hawksbill turtles, clouds of creole wrasses and seagrass beds filled with seahorses. Bonaire is famous for excellent access to shore diving, where experienced divers can fill a tank and amble along the coast picking and choosing the best dive sites and snorkel spots, with a colourful array of soft corals stealing the show.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a nurse shark hotspot and squadrons of eagle rays cruise through these waters for the eagle-eyed diver, if you are very lucky you may even see the rare Caribbean manta ray. In Turks and Caicos the visibility can reach up to 40m and Caribbean reef sharks patrol the waters above the white sand ocean floor making for some of our favourite diving holidays in the Caribbean. The Cayman Islands are famed for their awe-inspiring wall dives, with sheer drop-offs disappearing into the depths, and vibrant purple sponges clinging to the walls and hiding a plethora of reef dwellers. Huge potato cod are friendly companions as divers drift along the best dive sites in the area. For some spectacular scenery, nothing beats the dramatic sights of St. Lucia’s pitons as a backdrop to a scuba diving excursion.
Beyond the Reef
Diving holidays in the Caribbean needn’t be all about what is under the surface, with no shortage of diverting activities to enjoy on ‘dry days’. Hikes through rainforests, sailing lessons, dolphin cruises and catamaran day trips help divers while away the afternoons, whilst top end hotels never fail to impress with a wide array of spa treatments. Those looking to get under the skin of the Caribbean will appreciate the varied food scene and laidback hospitality of this vibrant region where locals make you feel at ease and incredibly welcome. Cultural and historical excursions can be arranged, led by expert guides. The nature and scenery of the Caribbean is hugely varied, from the pitons of St. Lucia to the sandbanks of Turks and Caicos.