There are perhaps no destinations more synonymous with diving than the Caribbean. Just the word conjures visions of sunlit reefs, breezy beaches and colorful fish. The Caribbean basin encompasses Cozumel’s dazzling drop-offs, Grenada’s sunken armada, Cuba’s sharky Gardens of the Queen and the reefs where rec diving got its start, the Cayman Islands. Classic sites, such as Bonaire’s Salt Pier, Belize’s Great Blue Hole and Saba’s Eye of the Needle, are found throughout the region. As for the Atlantic islands that are within spitting distance of this great sea — the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos — you’ll still find the delights of the tropics.

SEE ALL: 100 Best Dive Sites

This sinkhole, stretching 400 feet deep and nearly 1,000 feet wide, is a marvel to see from the air and a joy to explore underwater. Made famous by legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau — who dived this site in the ’70s — the blue hole allows divers to plunge to a depth of about 110 feet, where stalactites reach down from an overhang in the wall and sharks have been known to patrol. The cavelike setting provides an unusual backdrop for a dive in the Caribbean. The feeling of descending into a seemingly endless abyss will stick with you, and exploring the same waters as Cousteau is worthy of your bucket list. — Andy Zunz

Start the dive at this signature site on Little Cayman’s north side by swimming through a cavelike fissure in the reef. Those timing it right experience shafts of sunlight lancing down from above, and thus anointed, emerge at 75 feet to hang weightless alongside the Caribbean’s most famous wall. The electric-blue view of 150-foot visibility is euphoric. Resist the primal pull to go way, way down. Bloody Bay Wall, after all, falls thousands of feet to oblivion. Best to play it safe and explore left or right, where horse-eye jacks and hawksbill sea turtles sometimes glide on by, and gregarious Nassau grouper most assuredly await. These camera-hogging residents are fat and happy in this protected marine park. Also unmissable here is the riotous profusion of vibrant sponge art on display. Poseidon has gone creative genius with his Crayola 64-pack, elevating the often ignored invertebrates to the sublime. — Brandon Cole

Saba is famous for its deep seamounts, knolls and pinnacles that mimic the island’s steep geography below the waves, all part of the same shield volcano that created this lovely green isle. None of its pinnacles is more famous than Eye of the Needle, a spooky spire that rises to about 90 feet from the surface — the Needle is only about 25 feet in diameter, but 180 feet from bottom to top. It’s not the easiest place to get to — drop down on nearby dive site Third Encounter and fin about 100 yards into the blue, where, if you’re lucky, you’ll soon spy something that looks like a sleeping humpback. Once you’re there, you’ll find a structure covered every inch in sponges, corals and fans, and swarming with clouds of reef fish, including creole wrasse that flit about like birds. Also keep an eye out for big hawksbill and green turtles, black jacks, Caribbean reef sharks and wahoo in season. — Mary Frances Emmons

The Bay Islands used to be the stronghold of 5,000-plus pirates. Now, savvy scuba divers are the swashbuckling buccaneers seeking marine treasures at sites like the Great Wall. Ideally situated along the Cayman Trench (the deepest swath of the Caribbean) and the Mesoamerican Reef (the second-longest barrier reef in the world), the Great Wall starts at a depth of 15 feet and then dramatically plunges to a seductive 3,000 feet. The aptly named wall is covered by great barrel sponges, a variety of gorgonians and delicate, flowerlike bluebell tunicates. Radiant indigo hamlets, swarming creole wrasse and busy blue tangs are among the many colorful residents. Located on the eastern edge of the Turtle Harbor Wildlife Refuge and Marine Reserve on the north side of Utila, the Great Wall is a favorite spot of Capt. Eddy Anderson, of Roatan Aggressor, who grew up exploring these waters. He shows Arjun Kapur, a diver from California, a white longsnout seahorse clinging to a tan sea rod. After the dive, Kapur says, “That seahorse looked like it was decked out in Cartier jewelry. Definitely one of the most beautiful seahorses I have seen.” Such is the marine booty awaiting divers at the Great Wall of Utila. — Scott Johnson

Las Pezones

Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico; Visit Aquatica Puerto Rico

The 45-minute boat ride to reach Desecheo — an uninhabited island 12 miles west of Puerto Rico — is a deal breaker for some. For others, that distance brings the promise of pristine reefs. At Las Pezones, currents run steadily, sweeping the sea fans — wide, massive and numerous, like fields of satellite dishes in the desert — free of debris. The moving waters also bring in nutrients that supply every level of the food chain. Everything, from spadefish to black durgon, occurs in big numbers. Even passing eagle rays never fly solo. But the reefs are never crowded with divers thanks to the fact that few dive operators make the lengthy crossing. — Brooke Morton

Uninhabited West Caicos is only 30 minutes from Provo by boat, but for the uninitiated diver it’ll feel worlds away. The island’s leeward side features dozens of sites, such as Gorgonia Wall, Ton o’ Sponge and the creatively named the Wall — in reality, they’re all one long, vertiginous elevator ride featuring clouds of eagle rays, stingrays, reef sharks and groupers swarming massive plumes of soft corals and elephant ear sponges. After the dive, grab your mask and snorkel and peer over the edge, imagining what you could see next. — David Espinosa

“Shallow, bright and upright” best describes this small wreck. Lying on its keel in 25 feet of water, and overgrown with encrusting corals and sponges, the tug rests in a pristine hard coral garden with abundant fish life. A school of glassfish can often be found within the hold, and careful inspection of the deck may reveal other residents, including octopuses and moray eels. Don’t forget to view the giant orange elephant ear sponges at the nearby drop-off, or to explore the magnificent sponge and fish life on and around the adjacent pier pilings at Baya Beach. There’s an easy entry from the beach and a dive shop for onsite support, making this a popular spot; as a result, it’s best to visit early, before the midday crowds arrive. — Andy Sallmon

Cue the pumping adrenaline: No earthly experience compares to coming face to face with one of these toothy modern dinosaurs in Cuba’s Jardines de la Reina, or Gardens of the Queen. While not for the faint of heart, these habituated crocs are actually quite tame (or, as tame as wild crocodiles can be) in the presence of humans. Some local guides can simply call them over by name — Niño is the resident in red-mangrove-lined Croc Channel, and Tito likes to hang out near the floating hotel compound Tortuga. Be careful not to get too close, don’t touch the crocs and make sure they are never surrounded on all sides — a clear exit path is sure to keep them calm. — Melissa Smith

Shark Dive at Split Coral Head

Eleuthera, Bahamas; Visit All Star Liveaboards

Travel to this parenthesis-shaped island, and you’ll find electrifying drifts and lovely drop-offs that attract all manner of life, including eagle rays and turtles. Exuma Sound stretches in every direction in gorgeous shades of blue and green; nearly anywhere your boat anchors, you’ll have a memorable dive. Don’t-miss sites include the roller-coaster drift aptly nameWashingng Machine and drop-offs such as Black Tip Wall, but if you do only one dive when visiting these sites aboard the Aqua Cat liveaboard, make it the shark feed at Split Coral Head. — Patricia Wuest

There’s no feeling quite like it — look left to find nothing but corals and tropical fish, and look right to stare down into the abyss as it stretches down past 3,000 feet in some areas. Don’t let that deter you though — Cane Bay Wall is suitable for divers of all skill levels. This site is truly incredible, boasting a variety of marine life that includes stingrays, eels and cruising sea turtles. And the best part about it? You can access the wall via a beach entry and surface swim before descending to experience a dive lover’s dream. — Becca Hurley

This scuba divers playground was intentionally sunk in 1997 off the northwest coast of Roatan and sits in 110 feet of water. The ship is broken up into three main sections — redecorated courtesy of Hurricane Mitch in 1998 — and is home to huge black grouper and green moray eels. The wreck has a number of swim-throughs, but has plenty to offer those who prefer to stay outside too. The surrounding sand is filled with garden eels, and one could easily spend a dive hunting for arrowhead crabs, secretary blennies and other macro life on the mast. Bigger animals also pass through the site, so keep an eye out for eagle rays and turtles. — Robby Myers

The origin of the blue beads goes back to the 17th century, when the Dutch West India Co. used these beads for trading. The beads in St. Eustatius were given to slaves as wages. Legend says that after emancipation, the freed slaves gathered at the cliffs and threw their beads into the sea to celebrate freedom. This is probably the reason that most of the blue beads are found by divers 50 feet under the surface. Blue Bead Hole is a dive site between the old harbor bay and the colorful reefs, under the volcano, in the south of the island. Here you find a mix of coral heads, sandy patches, sea grass and, if you’re lucky, blue beads. Actually, according to the legend, the beads find you, not the other way around. Even without finding blue treasures, there is a fair chance you encounter some amazing critters. Pike and sailfin blennies, juvenile angelfish and the blue beads’ guardians, flying gurnards. It may be a coincidence, but the blue of the flying gurnards exactly matches the beads! — Mike Harterink

Margate Bay offers some of the best biodiversity among Bonaire’s world-class shore-diving sites. Just a few feet from the signature yellow rock marking the shore entry to this dive, a shallow ledge acts as a nursery for chromis and small eels. Swim farther and you’ll encounter a delicate shoal of staghorn coral covered in smallmouth grunts taking shelter in the thick coral branches, and maybe even a sea turtle gliding about the reef. The sandy bottom near the drop-off provides a great opportunity to see a passing eagle ray or stingray. Keep an eye out into the blue because this site offers the best chance to encounter large schools of bogas as they dart in and out of the deep. Dolphins are particularly fond of this area and are often seen from the surface. Margate Bay has the potential for moderate current, but there’s no need to go deep here. Schooling fish and lush soft-coral gardens are all easily seen above 50 feet. — Jennifer O’Neil

When you think of Belize, white sandy beaches or colorful coral reefs usually come to mind. But underneath those reefs is a real wonderland. A short boat ride from Caye Caulker lies the entrance to the Winter Wonderland cave system. This is just one of several spectacular underwater caves found in Belize. It gets its name from the beautiful white sediment found on the formations that gives it the look of a dreamy wintry scene. The cavern is full of fish and sometimes a few friendly nurse sharks. The cave has very delicate formations and is highly decorated, making it very photogenic. Its deepest point is 127 feet, but it averages at 95 feet, with gin-clear water unless the sharks stir it up. — Becky Kagan Schott

MUSA Underwater Museum, Cancun

In the shallow waters between Cancun and Isla Mujeres lie more than 400 sculptures by Jason de Caires Taylor. You get the sensation that you are in a museum as you navigate from one exhibit to the next. But, much like a museum, it’s impossible to see every coral-encrusted piece on one tank. — Becca Hurley

Cedar Pass, Cozumel

Said to be named for a thicket of cedars on shore, this site stands out for its marine life. Every nook of this towering coral reef and sandy bottom is claimed by a moray eel, lobster, grouper, hogfish, damselfish or parrotfish. — Brooke Morton

Sailfish Safari, Isla Contoy

Keep an eye on the horizon for a sign of great things to come: frigate birds swirling in the air. This means that the search is nearing a close and hunting sailfish are nearby. It’s fast and furious action off the coast of the Yucatan in February and March, when the world’s fastest fish hunt in tandem — even sometimes with dolphins. Adrenaline junkies and underwater photographers will agree that it’s worth the wait. — Gerald Nowak

Chac Mool Cenote, Riviera Maya

Chac Mool has it all — stunning rock formations formed over millennia, eerie haloclines where salt water meets fresh and, of course, the breathtaking light show that has made Chac Mool famous. Even if a dive into the darkness of the cavern doesn’t appeal, the spellbinding visual spectacle created by the powerful Mexico midday sun cutting through the clear blue waters of the entrance makes this a dive not to be missed. — *Jason Brown *

It’s not too often a great dive site gets even better. The Kittiwake, a decommissioned submarine rescue vessel, has been a dive favorite since it was purpose-sunk off Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach in 2011. For six years it sat upright in 65 feet of water. Then, on October 8, following Hurricane Nate’s close approach to the Cayman Islands, reports started coming in that the Kittiwake had moved. Divers discovered the wreck shifted 45 degrees, onto its port side. It now rests just a few feet from Sand Chute reef, ranging from 20 to 75 feet. For locals and frequent visitors alike, the Kittiwake is, as a local divemaster says, “like diving a brand-new dive site.” Prior to sinking the ship, many of the entanglements that could hang up divers in other wrecks were removed, and huge holes were cut, allowing multiple exit points from most compartments. Now, with the 45-degree shift, the wreck can be a little disorienting. With some exits blocked on the seabed and doorways askew, divers will find entering the wreck requires a little more situational awareness. This disorientation, though, also presents opportunity. For photographers who have documented the wreck previously, the ship’s new angle has altered the light, creating new inspiration and photo opportunities. Given the typical lack of current and incredible visibility on the site — along with the eagle rays, silversides and even the occasional goliath grouper or hammerhead shark — this wreck is great for all divers. If you’ve never dived the Kittiwake, you won’t be disappointed, and if you have, you’ll be treated to a new experience. — Donald Parker Smith and Susannah H. Snowden-Smith

Salt Pier earns its keep as more than a spectacular dive — this working pier owned by the Cargill Salt Co. can only be dived when there are no ships docked. Don’t let its day job deter you, because this shallow (25 to 60 feet) shore dive is spectacular. Pilings covered with sea fans and sponges provide a picturesque habitat for a wide variety of reef fish, including large schools of snapper. Curious Caribbean reef squid are also encountered here, as are turtles and barracuda. For the best views, explore the outermost pylons in the late afternoon sun. — Allison Vitsky Sallmon

Thanks to Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the Tibbetts is more like two wrecks now, wrenched apart as if by a mighty hand, an act of nature that inspires pure awe when you consider the mass of this 330-foot Russian destroyer. It’s penetrable on both sides, although the spooky traverse through its bow section isn’t for the faint of heart, nor for newbies. Its decks on the stern side have become home to beautiful bouquets of tube sponges, and its intact guns are a draw for divers of all levels. — Mary Frances Emmons

An 1867 hurricane doomed the Rhone; as its captain made a mad dash to open sea in hopes of outrunning the storm, 130 mph winds thrashed the ship, pushing it onto Salt Island’s Black Rock Point and tearing the iron-hulled ship in two. The story makes for a terrific dive briefing, and local divemasters tell it with dramatic flair. Equally sensational is the wreck, which can be dived in two parts: the first tank on the deeper bow — at about 75 feet — and the second on the stern, where the partially embedded 15-foot propeller is a highlight. The hull is encrusted with beautiful sponges and corals, and the site is often overrun by fish — and sometimes divers. To avoid the crowds, plan to dive the wreck early in the morning, or make a night dive to find orange cup corals feeding in the current. — Patricia Wuest

Each year, sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) journey to these Eastern Caribbean waters between October and March. Your chances are excellent for having your very own Moby Dick experience. Board a comfortable catamaran, sip a rum punch and head out with a crew that is experienced in finding the whales. When the hydrophone picks up the whales’ telltale clicks, all eyes begin looking for the animals’ distinctive, bushy blows. Whale-watching excursions are offered weekly, and come with detailed briefings. “We look for them while they are resting near the surface,” says whale guide Andrew Armour. “The sperm whale pods are smaller in the Caribbean than in other parts of the world, but the grandmothers, mothers and daughters live together for life, so you’ll find them in groups.” — Patricia Wuest

Grand Bahama boasts one of the longest surveyed underwater cave systems in the world, and Ben’s Cave serves as an access point to this otherworldly maze. Named after the famed Ben Rose, the entry cavern is massive, its floor lined with large rock fragments from the collapsed roof. Crystal-clear fresh water welcomes you for the first 25 feet before you hit a halocline and salt water below. The cavern contains immense stalactites and stalagmites, as well as a crystalline formation in the wall known as the Jewel Box. Search for the occasional fish between the vines that dip into the water, and try not to scare the tourists viewing the pool when you reach the surface. — Matthew Meier

Bianca C

Grenada; Visit Aquanauts Granada

You may never dive the Titanic, but for a plane ticket and price of admission, you can dive the 600-foot Titanic of the Caribbean, Bianca C. Drop down on the stern of the 56-year-old former luxury cruise liner to see the massive, photogenic propeller, then back up to drift along the superstructure. The small pool on the upper deck is no longer discernible as it once was, but there’s still plenty to explore. If the current picks up, enjoy the ride as you float past gangways and portholes that offer a glimpse into the past. — David Espinosa

It wasn’t enough for Bahamas dive operators to have the world’s best shark dive. They got greedy and 15 years ago created one of the world’s best purpose-sunk wrecks too, when they dropped the 200-foot-long Ray of Hope 70 feet to the seafloor. That this nondescript former freighter can take top honors when there are nearly two dozen purpose-sunk wrecks in the Bahamas — making it officially the unofficial “wreck capital of the Caribbean,” according to Stuart Cove — isn’t a mystery. It’s shallow. It sits intact and upright in a contrasty bed of white sand. It’s open and cleared of hazards, allowing divers to swim through the wheelhouse and cargo holds. What really sets Ray of Hope apart is that it rests mere yards from Shark Arena, the popular site where dozens of gray reef sharks (and some pushy grouper) come in for a feed every day. — David Espinosa

A truly amazing wreck lies on the west coast of Barbados: the Stav, as it’s known by admirers. Two dives on the wreck are just enough to get a rough overview of this fantastically grown piece of scrap metal. The 365-foot-long Greek freighter is one of the largest wrecks in the Caribbean. As early as 1978, she was professionally sunk by explosives experts, so the wreck now stands upright at 118 feet on the sand floor. The dive is recommended for advanced divers because the interesting engine room reaches depths that may exceed some divers’ comfort level. Above all, the masts and cross struts are overgrown with huge gorgonians. The wreck is also the meeting place for large swarms of mackerel and barracuda, which have been enjoying this habitat for nearly 50 years. — Tobias Friedrich