What is the best island for scuba diving?
 

My husband was certified in Fiji last year on our honeymoon (I was certified in Hawaii a few years ago) and now we're both hooked! We're looking for a great diving spot in the Caribbean that is also romantic. I've read St. Vincent's and St. Lucia are nice. So, for all the divers out there, what is the best island for diving and the best place to stay there? Thanks!! Mindy

In order:
(My opinion only...)

Cozumel - Intercontinental Presidente
Caymans _ Hyatt
Bonaire
Turks and Caicos _ Grace Bay Club, Sands
St Lucia - Anse Chastanet, Ladera

Also:

Bonaire
Saba
St. Eustatius

Cozumel
Saba (but no beaches here - this is serious diving, hiking and sheer mountainous beauty in one)

Crystal-clear waters make Bermuda one of the most breathtaking dive destinations in the world. Bermuda is home to the northernmost coral reefs, and the most divable shipwrecks (400!) in the western hemisphere.On the northern and western reefs, the visibility in the summer is about 100 feet.
Elbow, Sonesta, Grotto Bay and Hamilton Princess all have diving available if not onsite, they'll have dive boats leaving twice daily from the hotels.

I hope this helps,

Jayded1hotmail.com

Hi, as a member of REEF out of Key Largo, Florida, here's the top 10 diving sites for reef fish richness, with the number of different reef fish species identified in our surveys:
1. Bari Reef, Bonaire (307)
2. Tori's Reef, Bonaire (293)
3. Something Special, Bonaire (268)
4. Pier, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Jupiter Inlet to Key Biscayne (261)
5. Molasses Reef, Key Largo (259)
6. Red Slave, Bonaire (255)
7. Front Porch (Sunset Beach), Bonaire (247)
8. The Invisibles, Bonaire (239)
9. French Reef, Key Largo (236)
10. Grecian Rocks, Key Largo (235)
As you can see, 6 out of 10 top sites lie off of Bonaire. The island is extremely eco-conscious and protects the reefs to a great extent. St. Vincent's and St. Lucia aren't on the top 10, but PERHAPS it's because REEF hasn't established dive operation contacts down there. Robert

Hello, again; I did get some REEF survey results for St. Vincent and St. Lucia. Here's the best diving sites for St. Vincent, in order of species richness. Unfortunately, only 164 species were seen in 24 different dive sites off of St. Vincent: Bottle Reef, Turtle Bay, The Wall, New Guinea Reef , The Wrecks, The Gardens, Pinnacle, The Steps, Orca Point, Han's Place/Reef, Emery's Point, Back Door, South South,
Anchor Reef, South Side of Young Island,
Tarpon Run, Villa Beach, Petit Byahaut, Young Island Point, Critter Corner, Indian Bay, Callie's Secret, Coral Castle, The Sisters, Orca Two, Black Rock, Bambooroo, Dark Head Reef, The Wreck, Casa de Columbus, Critter Corner, The Forest, Dead Goat Bay, and Joyce's Nursery. A total of 164 different species of Reef Fish were Identified in the dive sites off St. Vincent. I could look up their data base to find which of the above sites are the riches in reef life, if you like, let me know. I have similar data from REEF on St. Lucia as well, if you'd like, but it will take some time to bring up. Robert

Hi Mindy,
For the romantics dream....and some incredible diving check out.
In St.Lucia in between the Pitons. Ladera and the Jalousie Hilton. So romantic, in a stunning location.
Beautiful, rich, colorfull dives that won't disappoint. A micro Photographers dream.
Donna

Thanks so much for everyone's comments - they're super helpful!
Mindy