There are lots of great dive sites in the Caribbean, but which ones make it to the top of the list? We'll give you our opinion. We've done lots of diving all over the Caribbean, but these sites are the ones we still remember and compare all other dives to.
Our list:
* Wreck of the Chikuzen, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
I loved this site. It was (and still is) the best wreck dive we have done.
The wreck of the Chikuzen is located off of Tortola's east end and 12 miles NW of virgin Gorda. This site is weather dependent so you may or may not be able to get out there. Luckily, the weather cooperated and we were able to dive the wreck (we were staying on Virgin Gorda).
When we descended the mooring line to wait for the other divers, we went straight into a huge school of barracuda. Now I'm used to seeing a lone barracuda, or a few together, but there had to be at least a hundred of them. And this was just at the bottom of the mooring line. It got better from there. Definitely one of our all time top dives in the Caribbean.
We saw black tip sharks, lots of stingrays, horse-eye jacks, pompano, spadefish and lots more. This is the place to come if you like big fish and lots of fish. And to top it all off, we heard whales si FASCINATING AIDA - Cheap Flights
nging at the end of the dive. And we haven't even mentioned the wreck. How could it not be one of our top dives?
* Pidgeon, Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
This one is usually a surprise (and to us too because the rest of the diving we did in Bequia was good but not spectacular). However, this dive was wonderful. It was just my husband, myself and the divemaster (right there it is better than a lot of dives).
The water was crystal clear and the sun was shining on the coral, making the colors brilliant. There was a slight current so we could just drift along the reef with barely a kick. Lots of marine life to observe.
I remember thinking, "This is why I dive." It was just a fantastic, easy underwater sightseeing trip. Definitely one of the top dives we have done.
* Name Unknown, Bimini, Bahamas
I know, I'm sorry - but you'll be able to find it. We went over to Bimini from Florida in a boat and dove off our boat rather than with a dive shop. We tied up at a mooring buoy while we got ready. Then we jumped in. And that was the start of one great, fun drift dive.
We were flying! The formations and coral were beautiful and since it was a nice, sunny day, the colors were brilliant. Since the current was strong we couldn't stop and examine many things, but that was fine. It was one heck of a fun dive.
Along the way, we saw an underwater plaque dedicated to someone that had died. So between the mooring buoy and the plaque, one of the dive shops or a local will be able to tell you where we were (my brother-in-laws's GPS broke so we lost the coordinates). Next time we go to Bimini, we will find it again and I will post the update.
* Horseshoe, Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel is pretty much a divers mecca and we've been there several times. You will find alot of great dive sites off of Cozumel but this one stands out and is one of my favorites.
This site has incredible formations with tunnels in and around the formations. We saw alot of marine life including eels, sharks, barracudas to name just a few. A cool dive and definitely on of the top dives in Cozumel.
So there you have it. Our list of 4 of the top dives we have done. If you dive these sites, we hope you enjoy them as much as we did. To read about our all time favorite top dive in the Caribbean, #1 on our list, visit our website.
The many islands of the Caribbean all offer a variety of adventures for families to explore. Whether your family is looking for some sun-filled fun or an exhilarating trek through a rainforest, the Caribbean can satisfy many of your cravings for a perfect vacation.
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Belize
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Once the setting of the Mayan Empire, Belize has one of the world's most incredible rainforests. The impressive ancient pyramids provide rich history as well as modern-day exploration for history enthusiasts. Astonishing caves marred with the ancient ceremonial symbols tell stories of the ancient civilization's rich culture, history and religion. Any family interested in history would be pleased with a tour through this culturally rich country.
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U.S. Virgin Islands
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Since the debut of Walt Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean, people everywhere have grown fond of the adventure and excitement of the islands. As one of the islands once famed for its abundance of pirates, St. Thomas boasts an intriguing history of pirates' antics. The sky tower used to spot enemy ships was originally known as Skytsborg Tower. Today, it is Blackbeard's Castle and is now a prominent national historic landmark. Families can absorb the essence of a pirate's life at the nearby Inn at Blackbeard's Castle.
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Dominican Republic
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The beautiful scenery of the Dominican Republic is just one of the many reasons it consistently attract tourists from all over the world every year. Some come especially to seek adventure in a tropical retreat. The Yaque del Norte, located in the central mountain area, is the largest river in the Dominican Republic and has some of the best white water rafting in the Caribbean. If your family is unfamiliar with which rivers to explore or just inexperienced, luckily there are plenty of companies specializing in water adventures and will easily provide all the equipment and training or guidance needed. Navigating the rapid flow of the river can be tough and requires everyone's active participation. As you're getting the ultimate adrenaline rush, your family bond is strengthening as well.
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Cayman Islands
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When in Grand Cayman, families looking for more water adventures should pay a visit to Stingray City, where humans can swim along side dozens of human friendly stingrays on a sandbar. If that's not enough, your family can snorkel nearby in the beautiful coral reefs with an array of tropical fish. This spectacular scene is an extraordinary experience that the whole family can enjoy.
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Grenada
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The protected ecological subsystems of Grand Etang National Park offer an abundance of picturesque trails such as the Seven Sisters Trail, which follows a path through seven of the park's mountain waterfalls. With a number of different native animals and vegetation including monkeys and orchids, Grand Etang Lake has an extinct volcano crater on the island's center. Whatever your interests, Grenada has something for everyone in the family.
Jeannine Esobar
Our Atoll Adventure Package is tailored for those interested in experiencing the wonderful and varied marine ecosystem of the Turneffe Atoll. With so much to do, it may take you more than one visit to see everything. Turneffe is the largest of only four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere. Approximately 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, it is made up of a fringing coral reef extending around the entire atoll, miles of back reef flats, mangroves, turtle grass beds, littoral forest, channels and large central lagoons. The Atoll Adventure Package offers fully guided activities with our 25-foot boat, Sea King, at your disposal. This is a very flexible program and can be tailored to fit the particular interests of each group. Our Atoll Adventure guides are informative and fun. They know the flora and fauna of Turneffe intimately and are extremely adept at finding interesting things to see. All of our guides are excellent snorkelers and make our guests feel comfortable visiting the underwater wonders at Turneffe, even those that are not experienced snorkelers. Most guides are students of Maya history as well as the rest of Belize's history. There are several Atoll Adventure tours to choose from. Visit: www.tflats.com
best vacation ever (cc). great destination, fantastic weather, beautiful resort, friendly service and the BEST PRICE = best vacation ever there are more choices for tour operators, travel agents, online booking, destinations, resorts than ever so get the best the very best price and have a fantastic vacation music by Alexandr Flippov 05 - Epizode 1
So you want to take a vacation in the Caribbean?
You're reading this article because you want some help in making a decision about where in the Caribbean to go for your vacation?
It is sensible to take some time over choosing your Caribbean Vacation Destination, because it may come as a surprise to you, that not all Caribbean island destinations are the same!!
The Caribbean islands have a reputation for their beaches, but there is lots more, so if you are looking for more than just beaches for your vacation, there will be something here for you.
Firstly let us look at how the various islands are different
1. The weather can be different on different Caribbean Islands.
This is due to different things such as mountains, the trade winds, and even where the islands are located.
If you take as an example the Caribbean island of Aruba, it has a desert climate where cacti and aloe grow more readily than fragrant hibiscus.
On the other hand Puerto Rico is mountainous, so it would be perfect for the hiker, and of course it is much cooler at altitude.
2. There are cultural differences between different Caribbean Islands.
There is a lot of french style in the French West Indies especially Martinique.
The Netherland Antilles will give you Dutch Colonial style.
On the other hand for more than a few traces of her former military might then the British West Indies still is terribly British!!
All of this is of course as a result of these islands being a part of a colonial past, and the language used can be a fascinating mix.
3. Activities on offer are the key to your Caribbean Vacation, and this is where your choice is so important.
The Caribbean is beautiful both above and below the sea, as well as there being mountains, and beaches, there is also the remnants of the colonial history to look at.
The Caribbean has many Carnivals to attract visitors but you need to make the right choices based upon what YOU want to do.
a. Jamaica
Lots of visitors flock to Jamaica because of its'beaches and resorts. Destinations like Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Kingston,are all part of Caribbean Vacation folklore.
You might choose to explore the Blue Mountains, or play golf on a former plantation, and the food is quite unique and delicious. Having said that if I wanted to go scuba diving or snorkelling, then Jamaica would not be my first choice.
b. You may then want to try Cancún
Cancun itself may not be your ideal Caribbean destination as it can be packed with students at certain times of the year. However whilst Cancún may have lovely beaches and incredible nightlife,you must not overlook Cozumel which offers superb diving.
You could try the Mayan Riviera where you can find family orientedless crowded places like Playa del Carmen, and if you want Mayan ruins then go to Tulum.
c. The Bahamas could be the place for you
Now you may not like the Bahamas because of the amount of Caribbean cruise ships that visit, bringing with it cowded towns, but on the other hand if busy ports and beaches are your thing, you'll love it.
What is suggested here is you visit the Out Islands, or perhaps follow Ernest Hemingway's past escapes, or just sail around the islands, there will be somewhere in the Bahamas for you.
d. Puerto Rico is very well recommended, because of the variety of attractions
This Caribbean island has everything from mountains, to historic towns like Old San Juan to a bit of diving and snorkelling.
You should visit Ponce on the southern coast for a touch of something a little different? and its rainforest, El Yunque, is the only rainforest in the U.S. National Parks system.
San Juan has it all, from beaches to shopping, casinos, and nightlife, although that in itself will put off some readers.
4.There are also natural groupings of Caribbean Islands
a. The Virgin Islands are a sailor's paradise, whether you visit The British Virgin Islands or the U.S.
Here you'll find beautiful crystal clear waters and plenty of places to see.
St. Thomas offers shopping.
St. Croix features historic Dutch buildings.
St. John is home to a wildlife reserve.
The U.S. Virgin Islands is a great place if you snorkel or scuba dive.
b. The British Virgin Islands are much more peaceful with island names from the era of pirates.
You could go to Barbados, another very British island, and perhaps watch cricket.
There is Bermuda, although strictly not a Caribbean island, people tend to include it, and it is yet another example of Great Britain's colonial past, with policemen, golf, and buildings.
The sister islands of Antigua and Barbuda are also known for beautiful beaches and rich British history, as well as incredible sailing.
c. Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, known as the ABC Islands, are three of the Netherlands Antilles located just north of Venezuela's coast. With the added distinction of being outside the Caribbean's ?Hurricane Belt,? this trio of islands offers some unusual desert climates, but fascinating history, and nature unlike what you'll find in the rest of the Caribbean.
5.Some other Caribbean Islands worth considering
a. The Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Saba, Belize, and Dominica are known for their natural beauty. With mountains, rivers, tropical forests, and reefs to explore.
Each of these has different reasons to visit, whether you're curious about The Dominican Republic's popular surfing beaches, or St. Lucia's famous volcanic peaks, there's sure to be something that is perfect for island explorers.
In conclusion while it may be easy to visualize what some would consider to be typically Caribbean, it may take a little more effort to really pick an island that is perfect for your stay.
Every traveler has his or her own idea of what makes up a great vacation, and a vacation to the Caribbean that fufils your dreams is not difficult to organise.