Forbes Traveler's 10 Best Caribbean Scuba Spots

Filed in archive Water Adventures on November 23, 2007

With the winter fast approaching, we really don't need another reason to visit the tropical climate of the Caribbean. But, just in case you needed another reason to book your trip, the editors of Forbes Traveler just released their list of the 10 Best Caribbean Scuba Spots.

Here are a few highlights making the list:

Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef, Belize: With very little marine life, the Blue Hole is more of a geological trip than a visit to the zoo. An unbelievable sight from the air, the almost perfectly circular Blue Hole was created by what was a dry cave system in the Ice Age. At 110 feet below sea level, the caves have stalactite formations where reefs and hammerhead sharks lurk in the shadows. The water stands perfectly still, and one can stare up through the passage to the sky above. "It's so distinctive a feature. It's very striking," says Morrisey. May and June are the best months to spot sharks circling the hole.

Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean: Despite its stunning beaches, Bonaire, 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela, is best known for spectacular shore diving as well, and is ranked #2 on the PADI network of top 10 travel destinations. "You can basically gear up and walk from the beach into the water," explains Lucey. The beauty of Bonaire dives is the comfort and accessibility found with developed dive sites. Bonaire offers good diving year-round and is one of the only dive locations that you can dive 24 hours a day.

Providenciales (or Provo), Turks and Caicos: Ranked #7 by the PADI network, the island of Provo is the perfect destination for those travel companions more concerned about eating fish than watching them. "There is probably not a better selection of restaurants, especially in Provo," says Lucey. "And there are fantastic beaches." For the serious divers on the trip, the ocean wonders top the warm sands. "There's a better chance of seeing a shark here than most places in the Caribbean," adds Lucey. Most divers venture to Provo for the excellent wall diving, where the walls drop straight down, rather than sloping as in other parts of the Caribbean.