Southern Caribbean Resorts

Where’s the best resort-based diving in the Southern Caribbean?

The Southern Caribbean is blessed with many islands offering great diving. Collectively known as the Leeward Islands, divers are spoilt for choice.

Starting in the north, St Eustatius, commonly known as ‘Statia is a greatly underrated island for divers. Easily accessed from neighbouring St Kitts, the island offers superb accommodation and a vibrant marine park that lays claim to varied dive sites, excellent marine life and wreck diving as well. Resort based diving is also possible on nearby Saba.

Heading south through the chain of islands, St Lucia is truly spectacular. The island is dominated by huge volcanic peaks, providing the perfect backdrop to the island’s turquoise seas. Soufriere Marine Reserve is home to some of St Lucia’s most famous dive sites. The nearby island of Dominica also offers good diving opportunities and attracts nature lovers. Sperm whales also gather here, adding to the appeal.

Journeying south once again, we happen upon the shores of Grenada and Carriacou. These colourful, laid back islands are an outstanding choice for divers. Washed by the Guyana current, marine life flourishes, and Grenada is also home to the impressive Bianca C shipwreck. A short hop away by plane or ferry, sleepy Carriacou is known as the land of reefs, promises around 20 excellent dive sites to enjoy.

Beyond the main group of the Leeward Islands, close to the coast of South America, little Tobago is another diving gem. Nutrient-rich waters envelop the island, creating some of the Caribbean’s richest reefs and an excellent diversity of marine life. This is one of the few places in the Caribbean where more advanced divers have the opportunity to encounter larger marine life, if they are lucky.

Finally, turning west, we reach the islands of Bonaire and Curacao. Two of the three islands formerly known as the Dutch Antilles, these islands are more arid than the more easterly Caribbean islands, offering extremely consistent conditions for divers throughout the year. Bonaire in particular is famous for its shore diving, with over 80 dive sites to explore in your own time.

What to see when

Marine life in the southern Caribbean tends to remain fairly consistent year-round. Turtles are regularly seen throughout the islands, with nurse sharks and reef sharks also commonly seen. Eagle rays can be seen in many destinations, but more commonly from February to May, while those hoping for manta rays have a chance for an encounter in Tobago.

There are a number of key turtle nesting sites throughout the region. While you are unlikely to see them underwater, leatherback turtles nest on Tobago’s beaches between April and September. St Eustatius is also a key nesting ground for green, hawksbill and leatherback turtles during the same months.

Coral spawning events can be seen in Bonaire, typically a few days after full moon between April to October.