Best dive resorts in the Caribbean

Characterised by beautiful beachfront resorts and shimmering turquoise waters, there are few places more synonymous with relaxation than the Caribbean. But, understandably, passionate divers want a little more from their vacation. And, if you’re looking to do plenty of diving during your trip, it pays to pick a resort with the facilities to match – professional onsite dive centres, dedicated dive boats, and advanced scuba services to name but a few. 

Combining our own dive travel experience with guest feedback, we’ve selected some of the very best dive resorts in the Caribbean. Keep reading to find your favourite.

• Four-star hotel on Cozumel’s southwest coast
• Holistic wellness centre, multiple pools, and several sports courts
• PADI 5-Star dive centre overseen by Pro Dive International

Allegro Cozumel is a phenomenal four-star hotel situated on Cozumel’s southwest coast, providing premium access to San Francisco beach and Palancar Reef. This all-inclusive resort boasts an extensive array of amenities including five restaurants and five bars, a holistic wellness centre, multiple pools, and several sports courts. And, when it comes to satisfying dedicated divers, Allegro Cozumel doesn’t disappoint. The onsite PADI 5-Star dive centre overseen by Pro Dive International operates up to five dives a day and guarantees high standards of service, top-quality rental equipment, and complementary nitrox fills. Plus, Allegro Cozumel also offers the only all-inclusive dive packages on the entire island, ensuring discerning, luxury-loving divers can enjoy the getaway of their dreams.

• All-inclusive escape on the edge of Turneffe Atoll
• More than 70 sites to choose from including the Great Blue Hole
• Complimentary use of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards

Blackbird Caye is an all-inclusive cabana-style island getaway combining colourful Caribbean charm with contemporary style and comfort. Perched on the edge of Turneffe Atoll, this resort’s premier position makes it the perfect gateway to exploring Belize’s very best scuba diving, with more than 70 sites to choose from including the Great Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye. But, believe it or not, there’s more on offer here than diving at Blackbird Caye Resort. This small, isolated resort – with just 20 cabanas – encourages natural exploration of all kinds, providing complimentary kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, as well as a selection of guided excursions throughout the atoll.

• Award-winning eco-resort situated close to Hopkins
• Four-acre garden filled with orchids and wildlife
• Concierge scuba service, classrooms, and photography amenities

Hamanasi Resort is an award-winning environmentally-conscious getaway situated in the town of Hopkins. Though easily accessible from Belize City, this property remains wonderfully secluded and is surrounded by a four-acre garden filled with hidden treasures such as orchid-lined clearings and wildlife viewing areas. What’s more, Hamanasi is also remarkably well located when it comes to diving, with the possibility to explore the country’s top three dive destinations – Glover's Reef, Turneffe Atoll, and Lighthouse Reef. While staying at this resort, divers can expect to enjoy world-class facilities for underwater exploration, including air-conditioned classrooms, photography amenities, and seamlessly organised dive trips characterised by concierge-style service – ensuring guests never have to lift a finger.

• Down-to-earth escape on the southwest shores of Little Cayman
• Social atmosphere with activities like bingo, trivia, and karaoke
• Valet-style scuba service, multiple boats, and modern photo centre

Little Cayman Beach Resort is a delightfully down-to-earth escape situated in Blossom Village on the southwest shores of Little Cayman. With just 40 rooms and weekly in-house activities such as bingo, trivia, and karaoke, this resort is ideally suited to laid-back, fun-loving guests looking to socialise during their stay. From Little Cayman Beach Resort, divers will enjoy access to a variety of world-class dive spots including boat trips to the Bloody Bay Marine Park. And, as one of the most experienced operators in the Caymans, this resort’s onsite dive centre features valet-style scuba service, multiple boats, and a modern photo centre staffed by a resident photography pro.

• Green Globe certified resort on Grand Cayman’s East End
• Partner dive centre operated by Ocean Frontiers
• Private gear lockers, training pool, classrooms, and modern boats

Compass Point Dive Resort is situated on Grand Cayman’s less developed East End – one of the island's quietest and most scenic areas. And, with just 28 spacious guest rooms, this Green Globe-certified retreat feels worlds away from the sprawling tourist hotspots in other parts of the Caribbean. With some of Grand Cayman’s best diving right on the doorstep, Compass Point enables guests to “roll out of bed and onto the dive boat”, making it popular among dedicated divers. Compass Point’s partner dive centre, Ocean Frontiers, caters solely to resort guests and proudly provides top-notch facilities for students and leisure divers alike, including private gear lockers, a dedicated training pool, air-conditioned classrooms, and three of the island’s most modern boats.

• Ranked as one of the world's top dive resorts for over 50 years
• Home to the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences
• PADI 5-Star Career Development Centre

Situated on the northwest coast of Roatan, in the Bay Islands of Honduras, Anthony’s Key Resort is a PADI 5-Star Career Development Centre that has ranked as one of the world's top dive resorts for over 50 years. The resort is actually spread over several idyllic locations – with premises on Roatan itself, plus on Anthony’s Key and Bailey’s Key – and combines peaceful living with contemporary comfort, creating a beautiful, boutique experience that’s hard to beat. Alongside a well-equipped dive centre, Anthony’s Key also plays host to the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences, providing unparalleled expertise in the local underwater environment and placing it at the forefront of marine conservation.

• Set within a 600-acre estate on St Lucia’s west coast
• Refined restaurants, onsite spa, bike trails, and a world-class shore dive
• Island’s longest-running dive centre and dedicated photo centre

Anse Chastanet Resort is set within a 600-acre estate on St Lucia’s west coast. This unsurpassed property spans two of the island’s best beaches, overlooks the iconic Piton peaks, and is fronted by the protected waters of Soufriere – home to one of St Lucia’s best shore dives. At the luxurious Anse Chastanet Resort, guests have an array of unparalleled amenities at their fingertips – from refined restaurants and the sumptuous spa to many miles of mountain biking trails and access to the island’s longest-running dive centre, Scuba St Lucia. From here, guests can enjoy a variety of shore and boat dives, whilst making the most of quality equipment and a dedicated underwater photo and video centre.

• All-inclusive resort situated on the Dominican Republic’s east coast
• Nine restaurants, eleven bars, onsite spa, pools, and sports facilities
• Five dives a day with partner dive centre run by Pro Dive International

Ocean Blue and Sand is a luxurious, all-inclusive resort located beside a private stretch of Bavaro beachfront on the east coast of the Dominican Republic. This exclusive resort unfurls around two enormous free-from swimming pools and offers a huge range of elevated onsite amenities, including nine restaurants, eleven bars, a serene onsite spa, and extensive sports facilities. Guests even have access to nearby golf courses in the Bavaro area. Ocean Blue and Sand also features an onsite scuba diving centre overseen by Pro Dive International – a respected PADI dive operator and career development centre that operates up to five local dives each day using a fleet of three boats.

• Two Green Globe certified resorts located in Grace Bay
• Refined dining, pristine gardens, pools, and beach access
• Experienced partner dive centre run by Dive Provo

These twin Green Globe certified hotels – Ocean Club and Ocean Club West – lie a stone’s throw from one another in Grace Bay, on the northwest coast of Providenciales. Both stunning properties come equipped with spacious and modern suites, refined dining venues, pristine gardens and pools, and direct access to one of the Caribbean's most beloved beaches. Plus, guests choosing either of these resorts will enjoy unlimited access to the other property throughout their stay. Diving activities are overseen by the experienced partner dive centre, Dive Provo, who venture beyond Grace Bay to sites such as Sandbore Channel and French Cay aboard comfortable, custom dive boats.

Located on Bonaire’s west coast, Sand Dollar Condominiums is a true gem of a hotel combining the comforts of home with the conveniences of a resort. Each apartment carries its own unique charm and comes with a fully-equipped kitchen for self-catering. Guests will also find an array of dining and drinking establishments just steps down the street, along with various other tourist amenities. And, when it comes to scuba diving, guests of Sand Dollar Condominiums enjoy 24-hour access to the onsite dive centre run by Dive Friends Bonaire. This respected operator promises an array of diver-friendly details, including perfectly-maintained equipment, nitrox fills, air-conditioned classrooms, training pools, and more. 

• One of Bonaire’s longest-running dive resorts
• Onsite eateries and self-catering facilities
• Tec courses, classrooms, a training pool, and private docks

Also located on the west coast of Bonaire, this family owned business has been in operation for over 40 years, making it one of Bonaire’s longest-running dive centres. Buddy Dive includes all the facilities of a major resort but feels more like a casual condo complex. And, though each room has self-catering facilities, this property also features two onsite eateries for maximum convenience. While staying here, guests have access to the exceptional onsite dive centre, providing access to over 80 sites with a fleet of six speedboats, along with an expansive house reef. Additional impressive services include drive-through tank pick-up, technical diving courses, air-conditioned classrooms, a training pool, and private docks.