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If you have been to The Caribbean before, please share your experiences, ideas and feedback (Hotel, Excursions, General Feeling,…) in the comments section below, by doing so you will help fellow travellers to plan their next trip
Caribbean Beach Photogaph by Statm5
The Caribbean is a dream destination for many divers. Warm waters, great marine life, perfect visibility and a full vacation experience await the visitors. Take an overview look at the Caribbean and you will find that the hospitality and tourism industries are very important.
Tourism is the major source of employment in many of the islands of the Caribbean. The different countries have their own appeal, once a tourist finds what they like best they will return year after year. People who fall in love with a place may even retire there, full time or as a snow bird.
In this page you will find practical information to plan a scuba diving trip to The Caribbean:
Table of contents
Where to stay?
Bonaire Waterfront Photograph by cyril chermin
One of the best things about the Caribbean besides it being a year round destination is that there are so many options. Locations such as Cancun and Saint Thomas provide you with a range of luxury resorts.
While places in Belize and Honduras can provide an relax beachcomber experience. Take a luxury yacht through the Lesser Antilles or sleep in a hammock on a beach. The choice is yours.
Activities and excursions in The Caribbean
The Caribbean is an interesting mix of cultures. Central America and the Mexican coast have the remains of a pre-western civilization that continues to amaze “modern” man. That culture was influenced by the Spanish conquerors.
In other islands, the native people welcomed escaped slaves whom added African culture traits to the local culture. Blend in Dutch, French and British influences into areas under their previous control. Overall you get a Caribbean feel that is interest to explore and experience.
Visitors can balance cultural visits with water sports and days at the beach.
Best time to visit The Caribbean
The Caribbean is looked at as a year round destination. The destinations within the Caribbean seem to attract different clientele in age and nationalities. As such, the peak seasons differ in the different locations.
The hurricane season considered June 1 to November 30 can impact travel plans to the eastern Caribbean frequently. The southern Caribbean plus Honduras and Belize have a much lower threat than the eastern section.
Health and Safety
Health care in some countries of the Caribbean can be a challenge. Others provide such a high level of care at a reduced cost that they have a medical tourism market.
The major tourism destinations will generally have suitable routine and emergency care. In situations where the case complications required care that cannot be provided, there should be means of evacuation. It is best to visit the destination page on this website for the specific area you wish to visit for a more precise evaluation.
If you are planning an upcoming dive trip or travelling to The Caribbean, it is a really good idea to invest in travel insurance for scuba diving, because you never know what could happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). I recommend this diving insurance as they offer worldwide coverage and focus on providing scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.
Where is The Caribbean located in the world?
Saint Maarten is east of Puerto rica and the Virgin Islands
The Caribbean is simply the islands in the Caribbean Sea and the counties that boarder the sea. The Caribbean Sea is the body of water that the north coast of South America and the east coast of Central America including the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico face.
The channel between Mexico and Cuba opens to the Gulf of Mexico. The two Antilles Island chains form the separation from the Atlantic Ocean in the north and east. The Caribbean Sea has over 700 islands, inlets and cays.
There are over 30 different countries that make up the Caribbean. The leading tourism destinations include the Cayman Islands, the Virgin Islands, Belize, Honduras and Mexico. The Caribbean is also the most popular cruise ship destination in the world.
How to get to The Caribbean?
The 30 countries that make up the Caribbean are normally accessed by air. The larger tourism destinations may have hundreds of aircraft arriving each day. These destinations will have flights into a few United States’ airports that are hubs to further destinations. They also have direct flights to Europe and to South America.
The smaller destinations may have a limited number of flights to the United States and flights to a destination within the region. A few of the destinations do not have air service and are connected to nearby countries by ferry service.
The cruise industry is the major provider of transportation for tourist in the Caribbean. Millions of tourist each year visit the cruise ports in the region
Do I need a visa for The Caribbean?
Each of the 30 sovereign and non-sovereign states have their own rules and regulations regarding entry into their country.
Citizens of the European Union and those of the North American countries generally do not require a visa to enter any of the countries. One exception of this is that there are travel restrictions for United States citizens to enter Cuba. Individuals should check with the embassy of the country or territory they wish to visit to verify if a visa is needed.
It is also important to make sure that counties where connections may be made require a visa or not. For example, if you are connecting in the United States, you may need a visa for the US.
Getting Around
The local transportation options for tourist are generally well established within the region. The more developed locations will have established bus systems. While the lesser commercialized areas, will have less extensive options. Many of the smaller islands in the Lesser Antilles are connected by ferries.
I think what may be the best thing about the Caribbean is that it has enough options that anyone can find the perfect place for them. It is somewhere where someone on a budget can find a great vacation as well as having locations for those who only want the best when the travel. Which is your dream vacation?
The Caribbean Photos
Scuba diving
You will find all information about sea life, best time to visit, top dive spots, etc. in our review: The Caribbean Diving
Diving Reviews for this region
Jamaica
Jamaica is a great vacation and scuba diving destination in the Caribbean Sea!
Aruba
The island of Aruba is surrounded by outstanding reefs, and has a number of wrecks.
Cuba
The marine protection programs in Cuba has resulted in pristine coral reefs.
U.S. Virgin Islands
The United States Virgin Islands – America’s Caribbean. Outstanding scuba diving in a vacation haven.
Cayman Islands
You can dive a different dive site every day for a year!
Bonaire
Bonaire has been voted the Best Shore Dive Destination 22 consecutive times by the readers of Scuba Diving Magazine.
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis has excellent scuba diving that is close to shore meaning short boat rides. Being a small island, dive boats can always find a sheltered dive site in poor weather.
The Caribbean
The Caribbean is one of the most dived destinations in the world. A great destination for beginners as well as experts. With thousands of dive sites it offers something for just about everyone.
Saba
Saba offers Scuba divers site sites that are pristine and loaded with marine life.
Turks & Caicos
The Turks & Caicos Islands provides Scuba divers with a dive experience not easily matched.
Saint Martin
A great selection of wrecks and reefs for divers of all skill levels.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a lessor known dive destinations with outstanding diving from both the north and south coast. It is also the kick off point to the nearby Silver Banks.
Bahamas
The Bahamas offer a wide range of diving sites. There are sites that are great for learning to dive and others for experienced divers. Cave divers will find many opportunities.
Liveaboard Reviews in Caribbean
MV Cayman Aggressor IV
MV Cayman Aggressor IV is part of the le
Jardines Aggressor II
The Jardines Aggressor is a liveaboard o
MV Caribbean Explorer II
The Caribbean Explorer II departs from e
Juliet Sailing & Diving
The almost 32 meters Juliet is a schoone
MV Turks and Caicos Explorer II
The MV Turks & Caicos Explorer II is
Hello! We are heading to San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Martin, Nassau and Tortola in June. We have a group who is interested in diving and will get their certification before the trip. We are visiting these islands on a cruise. Can you tell me what island would be the best dive for beginner to intermediate divers? There are a few who are advanced. I am just trying to plan the excursions for people and looking for the best dive day! Thank you so much