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Sandals Best Resort For Scuba Diving | Top 5 Ranked & Reviewed (2025)
- Jonathan & Angela
- 34 minutes ago
- 10 min read
If you’ve ever dreamed of swimming alongside a sea turtle, floating through a coral archway, or descending slowly beside a sunken ship teeming with life, all while staying at the world's top all-inclusive, this guide is for you.
As an Advanced Open-Water Diver with over 300 dives completed around the world and an awarded Sandals Chairman's Royal Club Diamond Elite travel expert, I’ve personally visited all 17 Sandals Resorts, tested the dive sites, talked with the instructors, and even done the wade-through-the-surf-in-full-gear shuffle (yes, that happens at some locations!).
We know firsthand that every diver is different.
Some of our clients are PADI-certified pros who want dramatic walls and deep wrecks.
Others are newly certified couples excited (and a little nervous) for their first real ocean dive.
Some are somewhere in between. Perhaps your partner is a diving enthusiast, and you want to surprise them with the vacation of their dreams.
That’s why we created this guide, to help you choose the best Sandals resort for scuba diving based on your experience level and vacation style.
Let's go!
The Top Five Sandals Resorts For Scuba Diving
What Makes a Sandals Resort Great for Scuba Diving?
Choosing a dive resort isn’t just about the number of dive sites; it’s about what’s right for you as a couple. Whether you're celebrating your honeymoon, planning a long-overdue anniversary trip, or simply craving some underwater exploration, here are the key factors we help our clients evaluate:
🌊 Water Clarity
Ideal visibility ranges from 60 to 100 feet, and many Sandals locations in the Caribbean offer that crystalline, postcard-worthy clarity. It's especially great for new divers who want to build confidence and see more without needing to dive deep.
🐢 Marine Biodiversity
More reefs mean more wildlife. Turtles, eagle rays, garden eels, and technicolor coral fans, some resorts (like Grenada or St. Lucia) are just more biologically diverse than others.
🚤 Access & Boat Logistics
Some resorts have dedicated docks and easy walk-on boats; others might require a short shuttle or even a wade-in entry. If that’s a dealbreaker for you, we’ll help you find the smoothest setup.
📏 Dive Depth Options
Are you looking for 20-foot coral gardens or 100-foot wrecks? Resorts like Sandals Grenada and Sandals St. Vincent offer both, if you have the certification and the curiosity.
🎓 Training & Certification Options
New to diving? No problem. Every Sandals resort offers beginner courses and refresher dives. And trust us, their instructors are incredible. We’ve had clients tell us their Sandals training was better than the dive shop they used back home.
💑 Resort Quality & Romance
You’re not just here to dive, you’re here to reconnect, relax, and maybe sip champagne in a Sandals Tranquility Soaking Tub. Sandals excels at combining diving with luxury, giving you the freedom to enjoy both in equal measure.
In-Depth Guide: Diving at Each Sandals Resort
1. 🛳️ Sandals Grenada
If you’re a certified diver wanting a true underwater playground, Sandals Grenada is your spot. This island is legendary for wreck diving, and it doesn’t disappoint either. From the sunken Italian liner Bianca C, known as the "Titanic of the Caribbean", to the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, you’ll explore sites that feel like real-life treasure hunts.
Type of dives:
Historic shipwrecks
Artificial reef sculptures
Deep drop-offs and coral gardens
Visibility: Usually between 80–100 feet, especially ideal from December to May.
Best for: Advanced or recently certified divers who want both variety and challenge. We often recommend this resort to couples who want serious diving during the day and total luxury at night.
Diving Quirks
There’s no dock at Sandals Grenada, so divers do a short wade from the beach to the dive boat. The dive crew helps you manage your gear, and once you're on board, everything is taken care of. This is something we always prep our clients for; it's not a downside, just something to know ahead of time so you're not surprised.
What to Prep
If you haven’t dived in 6+ months, a refresher dive is mandatory. The dive team here follows PADI guidelines closely, and we support that so everyone’s safe and comfortable. If you’re looking to get certified before arrival, we can help guide you to the most efficient course schedule.
Liveaboard vs. Sandals Grenada
Liveaboards offer 4-5 dives a day with minimal luxury. Sandals offers 1–2 included dives per day, with 5-star amenities, gourmet dining, and romance built into every detail. If you're a dive-obsessed solo traveler, a liveaboard may be your vibe. But if you’re looking to dive with your partner and enjoy a beautifully designed private suite and champagne service, Sandals Grenada wins hands down.
It’s the place where I completed my Advanced Open Water certification and the ship wreck deep dive, is one I’ll remember for a lifetime.
2. 🌴 Sandals Royal Curaçao
If you’re brand new to scuba diving, or just easing back in after some time away, Sandals Royal Curaçao is our top recommendation. Located on the calmer southwestern coast of the island, this resort offers warm waters, drift dives, and incredibly patient PADI instructors who specialize in working with first-time divers.
Type of dives:
Gentle drift dives
Healthy and bright coral gardens
Calm, shallow reefs are ideal for training and exploring
Visibility: Typically 60–80 feet, with conditions that are excellent for underwater photography and orientation for beginners.
Best For
Couples new to diving, or those where one partner is certified and the other is just starting out. It’s also a favorite among honeymooners looking to try something adventurous together, without sacrificing any luxury or ease.
Dive Team
The instructors here are among Sandals’ most praised. They’ve helped certify over 100,000 guests across all Sandals resorts, and Curaçao’s team is particularly known for their friendly, encouraging style. Whether you're pursuing a full Open Water certification or just taking the resort course, you're in good hands.
Before You Go
We highly recommend starting your PADI e-learning before arrival. This saves you time and allows you to complete the practical portion of your certification at the resort. We can walk you through that process when we help plan your trip, it’s one of those small steps that makes a big difference.
Bonus Perks
Island Routes excursions here let you pair a morning dive with an afternoon jeep tour, flamingo sanctuary visit, or cave exploration.
The resort's Newton dive boats are spacious and beginner-friendly, with extra stair access and wide decks.
For non-divers, Curaçao’s snorkeling sites are incredible, and often just a short walk or boat ride away.
Curaçao offers what we call “comfort diving”, easy entries, lots of color, no stress. For couples dipping their toes into scuba, this is where confidence grows and memories are made.
3. 🏞️ Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Saint Lucia’s dramatic volcanic landscape doesn’t end at the waterline. Beneath the surface, you’ll find soaring pinnacles, black coral, and coral-encrusted lava fingers teeming with marine life. Sandals Grande St. Lucian offers the best location to explore this underwater topography, making it our favorite pick for couples with mixed experience levels.
Type of dives:
Volcanic pinnacles
Sloping walls
Protected shallow reefs
Visibility: Often crystal clear, especially in the dry season (December to May), with a year-round average of 80–100 feet.
Best for: Couples with one advanced and one beginner diver. The variety of sites means no one is left out, there’s always something incredible to see, no matter your certification level.
Diving prep
While beginners will love the reef dives here, the more advanced sites (like Keyhole Pinnacle and Superman’s Flight) are best experienced with an Advanced Open Water certification. If it’s been a while since your last dive, plan for a refresher course; we’ll help you schedule it in advance.
Add-ons & extras:
Daily 2-tank dives are included for certified guests
Snorkeling excursions and reef tours
PADI courses onsite, from Discover Scuba to full certification
Amazing post-dive recovery at Red Lane Spa (trust us, your muscles will thank you)
This is one of the most photogenic dive destinations in the Caribbean, both above and below the surface. It’s also one of the few resorts where we’ve seen both beginner and expert divers comment positively about the exact same trip.
4. 🌅 Sandals St. Vincent
If you're looking to dive where few others have, Sandals St. Vincent is the hidden gem we’re most excited about. This newest addition to the Sandals portfolio sits tucked between jungle peaks and turquoise bays, offering seclusion, beauty, and untapped underwater ecosystems. You can’t get that just anywhere. With nearby access to the Tobago Cays, you’ll find pristine marine sanctuaries that feel like your own private reef.
Type of dives:
Healthy coral reefs
Marine-protected zones
Off-site adventures to Grenadine island chains
Visibility: In the right conditions, visibility can reach up to 100 feet, thanks to limited boat traffic and environmental protections in place around Buccament Bay.
Best for: Couples who want a more exclusive, off-the-grid diving experience, with the bonus of a high-end resort stay wrapped around it.
What To Prep
While most reef dives are beginner-accessible, the best of St. Vincent’s underwater terrain lies just a bit deeper, an Advanced Open Water cert is helpful if you want to access those off-site gems. We always recommend clients consider upgrading their certification before arrival to make the most of it.
Insider Tip
Don’t wait to reserve a table at Buccan, the signature fire-grilled, family-style dining event at Sandals St. Vincent. It fills up fast, and trust us, it’s as unforgettable as the dives. (Bonus: it’s a great way to recap the day with other divers and toast to the next adventure.)
Bonus Perks:
Complimentary water transfers for Butler-level guests, skip the bus and arrive in style.
Access to Tobago Cays, known for sea turtles and vibrant reef flats.
Quiet dive excursions, fewer boats = more intimate dive groups.
There’s something magical about diving in a place that hasn't completely boomed with tourism.
5. 🐠 Sandals Royal Bahamian
Want to dive a James Bond film set? Swim through coral-covered ruins? Then Sandals Royal Bahamian is your go-to. Located in Nassau and just a 35 minute flight from Miami, this resort gives you access to some of the most iconic and storied dive sites in the entire Caribbean, including the legendary Thunderball Grotto and multiple WWII wrecks.
Pair that with classic Bahamian charm and newly renovated rooms, and you’ve got the ideal mix of action and luxury.
Type of dives:
Historic wrecks (like the Vulcan Bomber and The Hollywood Bowl)
Coral reefs and shallow snorkeling spots
Drift dives in stronger currents for the more experienced
Visibility: Very good year-round, but December through May offers the best water clarity.Best for: Couples who want diving with a side of storytelling, each dive here has history, whether cinematic or cultural.
It’s perfect for the diver who wants rich experiences during the day and five-star sophistication at night. Plus, there’s an offshore island just for guests, yes, really.
Diver Prep: What to Know Before You Go
We’ve helped plan hundreds of scuba trips over the years, and one thing is always true, the more prepared you are, the better your dive vacation will be. Whether you’re gearing up for your first dive or your fiftieth, here are the most common questions we get, and our expert answers based on firsthand experience.
How Much Does Diving At Sandals Cost?
One of the biggest advantages of choosing a Sandals resort is that scuba diving is included, yes, really.
Certified Divers: You can enjoy up to two tanks per day, every day of your stay. That’s easily a $100–$200 daily value per diver at most other resorts.
PADI Open Water Resort Certification: Available on-site for about $300 USD, and perfect if you want to get started during your trip.
Advanced or Specialty Courses: Offered at all Sandals locations and priced individually. We’ll help you schedule these in advance. If you’re interested in night diving, it's booked on site for an additional charge of approximately $65.00 per person. Deep diving, or underwater photography specialty courses, are also available.
Night/Wreck Dives: While not part of the standard package, these are optional add-ons and absolutely worth it at places like Grenada or the Bahamas.
💡 Jonathan’s Pro Tip: If diving is a priority on your trip, bring your PADI certification card and book all of your dives the first day of arrival. Spots fill fast, especially for specialty dives.
Should you get certified before arriving?
Absolutely. We recommend all first-time divers complete their PADI Open Water certification before travel, or at least start the theory portion through PADI eLearning fr only $246.00.
Why?
You’ll maximize your time on vacation (less classroom, more coral).
You’ll feel more confident entering the water.
Some Sandals resorts restrict morning dives to certified divers only.
If you’re short on time, you can do the referral route: complete the academic work at home and finish the dives at Sandals. We can guide you through that process during your trip planning.
What’s included in Sandals’ diving?
All the essentials are taken care of for you:
Top-quality BCD, regulator, mask, snorkel, fins
Professional guides trained in PADI standards
Dive boat and transport to dive sites
Snacks and drinks post-dive
A full pre-dive safety briefing for every trip
Not included:
Wetsuits (available for rent or bring your own if you chill easily)
Night dives or private dives, which carry additional charges
Dive vs. Liveaboard: What’s the Difference?
Choose Sandals…
Even if your partner is not diving. While t’s a whole lot easier to convince your significant other when there’s a swim-up bar and sunset dinner waiting post-dive, you’ll always have a dive buddy on the boat.
Your Sandals Scuba Getaway, Perfected
There’s something unforgettable about scuba diving at Sandals. The moment you slip beneath the surface, the rest of the world fades away, replaced by coral gardens, shipwrecks, and the calm rhythm of your breath underwater. But here’s the truth: not all Sandals dive experiences are created equal.
Even on a “just show up” vacation, it’s easy to:
Choose a resort with limited dive variety for your skill level
Miss out on must-book dive excursions due to overfilled boats
Skip certifications or refreshers that could unlock better dive sites
Forget to reserve that iconic dinner or couple’s massage post-dive
And that’s exactly why we’re here.
As Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Diamond Elite advisors, we’ve dived every resort, met every dive team, and helped thousands of couples turn “just okay” vacations into once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We know which resorts are best for beginners, where to find the most advanced sites, and how to plan every moment around you.
And the best part? We never charge planning fees.
From finding the perfect dive resort to pre-scheduling certifications, reserving specialty dives, and crafting a personalized itinerary, we handle the logistics, so all you have to do is pack your swimsuit and get ready to explore.
Let’s make your Sandals scuba vacation easy, exciting, and everything you’ve dreamed of.
Schedule your free consultation today.
About the Authors
Jonathan and Angela
Based out of Atlanta, GA, Rivage Travel is a boutique travel consultant group dedicated to providing personalized travel experiences. Owned by husband and wife duo Jonathan and Angela, our love for travel brought us together during a trip to Sydney, Australia. Our work is based on over 15 years of professional experience, hundreds of hours of travel industry certifications and training. We've been honored by Sandals Resorts as a top US travel agent with their highest honor of a Sandals Chairman's Club Diamond Elite travel expert, and we look forward to using our experience to earn your business today and in the future.