Your LateSail team are avid sailors and we enjoy nothing more than diving beneath the waves to watch the brightly colored fish of the Caribbean darting around coral reefs, shipwrecks and lava flows. Scuba diving offers a great chance to get closer to nature for those aged 12 and above. If you are planning a bareboat yacht charter, rendezvous diving is a great way to dive with others in a safe environment – the diving company will bring its boat, staff and equipment to you. We’ve put together our top Caribbean scuba diving spots for you to plan your next sail.
Could there be a better destination for scuba divers? It’s particularly forgiving for beginners too with its calm and sheltered waters. There’s so much to discover, including the famous RMS Rhone wreck off Salt Island. Diving gives a fantastic view of this 310ft Royal Mail steamship, which foundered during a hurricane in 1867. Also, don’t miss the spectacular rock formations of the Indians, off Norman Island, where you can dive exciting underwater tunnels with coral teeming with reef fish.
This is a hot destination for scuba divers who love wreck dives. A highlight is the Bianca C, a cruise ship that sank in 1961 and known as the “Titanic of the Caribbean”. It’s perfect for experienced divers who want to discover wonderful marine life, such as spotted eagle rays, reef sharks and great barracudas. Grenada has plenty of wreck dives for all levels of diving experience.
Bountiful coral reefs make Dominica the perfect diving base for scuba fans. The well-known diving spots on the island’s southwestern end can get crowded, but you’ll find just as exciting dives off the west coast too. Must-sees include Rodney’s Rock, Castaways Reef and Nose Reef. If you want excitement, try an ancient volcano crater with shallow reefs around the rim at Soufriere Bay. Sperm whales are around October to May and you can take a whale watching trip to get up close. The closest bases to start your charter from are Martinique or Guadeloupe.
Those who want a thrill can dive in the Bahamas with reef sharks and see these creatures up close. Those heading to the Abacos can dive over the shipwreck USS Adirondack, a gunboat which sank in 1882 off Man-O-War Cay. It’s cannons are still well preserved. While you are in the area, check out Green Turtle Cay and Treasure Cay too. If you are sailing the Exumas, don’t miss the underwater caves and blue holes of Crab Cay Crevasse, off George Town, and AngelFish Blue Hole, off Stocking Island.
Belize is a must for diving fans as it is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world with its beautiful Hol Chan Marine Reserve at Ambergris Caye, offshore San Pedro. While diving here you’ll spot nurse sharks, stingrays and coral. Make sure to visit the 1,000-foot Blue Hole in the reef.
Blue Hole, Belize
The Caribbean certainly has it covered when it comes to getting closer to nature under the water, so call our team to find you the right boat at the right price.
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