Costs Associated With Diving in the Caribbean
Aside from the certification course to learn to dive, the other cost involved in getting into diving is the purchase of the necessary diving equipment. Full scuba gear is one of the best and most affordable options. The gear you’ll need includes a mask ($30-400), snorkel ($20-130), wetsuit ($100-900), and fins ($60-400).
The upfront cost of learning to dive is actually relatively low considering the content of the open water diving course. The cost of this course varies depending on where you study around the world. Some places like Australia, the average cost is around $600 and usually includes all equipment hire, pool training sessions, 4 open water dives, and all certification and training fees. Places in the Caribbean tend to be cheaper.
Where to Dive in the Caribbean
Located a few hours offshore in southern Mexico, this remote biosphere is home to some of the best dive sites in the Caribbean. Cruise the shallows in search of reef sharks and eagle rays, and explore mangroves and turtle beds, where lucky visitors can come face-to-face with small saltwater crocodiles.
Some of the best places to dive in the Caribbean are the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Jamaica, Antigua and Grenada. In this article we explore some of the best dive spots to be found on these incredible islands and what makes them special!
Just a 10-minute boat ride from shore, Aruba is home to the famous Antilla shipwreck, making it one of the top dive sites in the Caribbean. Divided in two, the sunken wreck lies at 18 meters (60 ft), with some parts above the water. If lucky, divers can expect to spot lobsters, turtles and moray eels!
Dive Spots in the Caribbean
The Cayman Islands is the quintessential Caribbean dive destination, with colorful coral reefs, dramatic drop-offs and some of the best wreck diving in the Western Hemisphere. The islands are actually the peaks of an undersea mountain range, offering divers the chance to explore the depths of the ocean, where Caribbean reef sharks, sea turtles and eagle rays swim peacefully in the azure waters.
This is one of the most biodiverse dive sites in the Caribbean, with more than 300 documented species of fish. Search for small game such as seahorses and squid in pristine coral gardens. But don’t forget to look up! Giant parrot fish, school surgeons and hunting tarpon and barracuda are common sights here!
Barbados is a coral limestone island, which distinguishes the underwater landscape surrounding the island from most other islands in the Caribbean. Dive sites such as Mount Charles (near Dover) in Barbados have a wide variety of corals and are best suited to experienced divers looking for adventure. Expect an abundance of color and thriving marine life on this outer barrier reef, including snapper, majack, turtles and barracuda. This dive site is on the deeper end, ranging from 70 feet to 120 feet. It is an ideal dive site for underwater photography.