Sandals Scuba Diving: Ultimate Guide
Having a vacation at Sandals Resorts means world-class scuba diving included for free at every location. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned diver or still need to get certified, there are options for everyone. You can enjoy multiple outings everyday to different dive sites around the resort.
I can safely say that no other resort includes top-tier equipment, custom Newton dive boats, fantastic dive site options, and PADI certified professional staff like Sandals does. I’ll explain how you can enroll in the certification program if needed, and what the best Sandals Resorts for scuba diving are.
Sandals Scuba Certification
On-Site Certification
All Sandals guests can get a diving certification right at the resort in just a couple of hours. If you have always wanted to go SCUBA diving but haven’t had time, this is the perfect opportunity. Note that you do not need to take any training if you are already PADI certified. Just bring your certification card and you can go straight into diving upon arrival.
Here are the requirement for the Discover Scuba Diving certification:
- No previous experience is necessary
- Only a 3 hour course on-site
- Can dive immediately following course completion
- Instructed by professional PADI Certified divers
- All equipment and transportation is included
- Complete medical form
- The cost is only $140 per person
Once you successfully complete the PADI diving course you can begin open water dives right away. All of the diving outings are complementary after you are certified. With the 3 hour course at the resort you are able to do a dive up to 40 feet.
I recommend making the reservation for your scuba certification as soon as possible so you ensure you get a spot in the class. After you make your room booking, you can sign up for the dates and times you would like.
Online Certification
There is another option to get the PADI Certification online before you arrive. Doing it this way requires eight hours of classes on your own schedule, followed by a brief final exam at the resort with PADI Certified instructors. Many people choose to complete the classes online so they have maximum time for vacation. The online certification is also valid all around the world and allows dives for up to 60 feet.
What Is Included
Sandals has two complimentary dives everyday, weather permitting. You are able to do two separate outings with one tank each, or one outing with two tanks. Dives are available all the way to up to 100 feet deep.
Each dive is led by PADI certified professionals with the necessary gear included. The only exception is if you want a wetsuit you need to rent those for $10. The Caribbean waters are pretty warm so I didn’t need one, but some folks like it for a layer of protection too.
The groups are generally around five divers and one guide. We went on about 11 dives with them so far and appreciate that they keep the groups fairly small. All of the dives can be booked once you arrive at the resort.
Here is what’s included for diving:
- 2 dives per day (one tank and two tank dives).
- Depths ranging from 20 – 100 feet
- Dozens of different dive sites per resort
- All diving equipment included
- Custom Newton dive boats just for Sandals
- Led by PADI Certified pros
Best Sandals For Scuba Diving
All of the Sandals Resort locations offer exquisite scuba diving, but I want to share the top 5 from my experience. Most of my specific dive site recommendations will be novice to moderate level so they are accessible to everyone. That said, there are hundreds of dive sites to choose from that each offer something different!
1. Sandals Ochi
OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA
Sandals Ochi is located right in Ocho Rios, Jamaica on the north coast of the island. There are 18 dive sites in total that are accessible to the resort. Within 20 minutes you’ll have access to shipwrecks, turtles, sting rays, colorful reefs, and plenty more. Our captain Micheal was top notch and even took us to some secret dive spots just before sunset.
The resort itself has a pristine white sand beach and 17 restaurants to choose from. You also get access to the neighboring Sandals Dunn’s River so it’s like two vacations in one. Ochi is usually also the cheapest Sandals, for those on a hunt for value!
Best dive sites at Sandals Ochi
Maffessanti Reef: This site is usually the first dive that beginners set off on. It is very close to the resort and is only up to 40ft deep. Despite being a novice dive, you can still see very cool reef systems, Sea Fans, Barrel Sponges, and more.
Middle Reef: Only about 5 minutes from the resort, this site has a unique flat reef system that is home to all sorts of marine life. Here we got to see lobster, star fish, and even sting rays. It is a fairly easy dive with depth up to 60 feet.
Catherine Shipwreck: There is a 1980s shipwreck about 10 minutes from the resort. You can find sting ray, eel, nurse sharks, and plenty other species out here. It is only about 30 feet from the surface in calm waters which makes it good dive for novices.
2. Sandals Royal Barbados
ST. LAWRENCE GAP, BARBADOS
Sandals Royal Barbados and Sandals Barbados are right next to each other on the famous Dover Beach, and are practically the same resort. You get access to both regardless of which one you stay at. The diving here is some of the best in the Caribbean with warm waters, big shipwrecks, historic artifacts, and marine life aplenty. There are in fact 27 different dive sites at Sandals Royal Barbados.
Best dive sites at Sandals Royal Barbados
Berwyn Shipwreck: An old World War 1 tub boat that is only about 10 feet below the surface. It offers a lot of colorful fish and coral reef growth. Since it is located in a very calm bay, it is perfect for novice divers.
Old Fort: Here you can see old war relics like cannon balls and bottles off Needhams point. It is a relatively shallow dive with plenty of small fish and coral reef.
Close Encounters: This area is perfect for feeding the tropical fish and even touching sting rays. It is up to 80 feet deep but relatively calm because of the inner reef.
3. Sandals Grenada
ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA
Located on world renowned Pink Gin Beach in St. George’s, Grenada, an exotic getaway awaits. Aside from pristine beaches, the island is known as the “Spice Island” because scents of nutmeg and cinnamon fill the air. This is perhaps my favorite location when it comes the most unique dives in the Caribbean.
Sandals Granada has many notable wrecks and dive sites. My favorite was the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park which is unlike anything I have seen. I highly recommend doing this even if you are snorkeling. You can also see some endangered leather back turtles around Levera Beach depending on the time of year. All together the resort has 24 dive sites available.
Best dive sites at Sandals Grenada
Bianca C: This is the largest accessible ship wreck in the entire Caribbean and is called the “Titanic Of The Caribbean”. It’s a cruise ship that is over 600 feet long. This dive is certainly a master dive level because of the 135 ft. depth, but it is a wonder to see.
Molinere Sculpture Park: Here you can tour the complete Marine Park with schools of fish and bright coral along the way. The dive ends at the Sculpture Park which is in only 15 feet of water and contains the famous concrete sculptures.
4. Sandals Royal Bahamian
NASSAU, BAHAMAS
Just a short 50 minute flight from Miami, you could experience world class scuba diving in no time. The Royal Bahamian located in Nassau offers 16 different dive sites from novice to advanced level. The resort itself even has its own private offshore island!
There are no other locations with more blue holes and underwater cave systems. It is also a home to a variety of sharks like hammerhead and tiger sharks to interact with. You can even swim with the pigs in Exuma if you’re so inclined!
Best dive sites at Sandals Royal Bahamian
James Bond Wrecks: Yes, you read that correctly, there are James Bond wrecks here from the 007 movies. The prop plane and shipwreck remain there and have spawned amazing coral reef and sea life. It’s perhaps the most famous dive site in the Bahamas. They are only in 40 feet of water so they are very accessible for a novice diver.
Mahoney Wreck: An old steam ship that sank in 1929 and lays in shallow water so you can see very vibrant colored coral and shimmering fish. You can see all of the old frames of the ship. The waves can be strong at times, but being that it’s only about 40 feet deep, it is a manageable dive for novices.
5. Sandals Grande St. Lucian
GROS-ISLET, SAINT LUCIA
Situated on a private peninsula, the Grande St. Lucian offers 360 views of the surrounding Caribbean paradise. You also get full access to the neighboring St. Lucia locations, Sandals Regency La Toc and Sandals Halcyon Beach. There are a staggering 29 dive sites to choose from.
It’s hard to beat the dives that occur at the base of the Piton Mountains and all of the volcanic landscapes. Dives take you to a different universe with extremely lush reefs and exotic marine life. I saw my first seahorse up close and personal here! We went on 3 separate dives here alone and couldn’t get enough of it.
Best dive sites at Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Coral Gardens: Situated at the base of the towering Piton mountains, this underwater adventure provides astonishing scenery. It’s filled with tons of fish, fluorescent sponges, and soft coral. The average depth is 60 feet so it is more of an advanced level dive, but it is absolutely worth it.
Pigeon Island: Only a couple of minutes from the resort you can find eagle rays, moray eels, and lobster at the base of Pigeon Island. It starts only about 15 feet and you can go as deep as 60 feet over boulders and sprawling coral. This is an excellent beginners dive.
What About SNUBA Diving
Do you want more flexibility for diving, but don’t want to go all out with scuba diving? That’s where SNUBA diving comes in! You can dive in water that is still pretty shallow, but you have a 20 foot hose attached to a tank in an inflatable raft above you that regulates the oxygen. From this depth there is still a ton of opportunity to see coral and marine life.
You don’t need any training or certifications for SNUBA diving. You can explore the sea with a SNUBA setup for about 30 minutes. The upside is that you can stay below the surface for longer than snorkeling but you don’t have all of the tanks and equipment that come with scuba diving. The downside is that you can’t go as deep or as uninterrupted as you can with scuba diving.
SNUBA Is Only Available At These Locations:
- Sandals Ochi
- Sandals Negril
- Sandals Royal Bahamian
- Sandals Grande St. Lucian
- Sandals Regency La Toc
- Sandals Halcyon Beach
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Sandals Resorts include scuba diving?
Yes, Sandals Resorts includes scuba diving at all of their locations throughout the Caribbean. Guests that are certified can enjoy two complimentary outings per day, on every day accept for the day of your departure. You can either go on one outing with two tanks, or two separate outings with one tank each. For guests that are not certified yet, you can take a 3 hour class right at the resort and start scuba diving immediately upon completion.
How much does it cost to scuba dive at Sandals?
Scuba diving at Sandals is free for certified divers and you can go out on dives twice per day. If you need to get certified, you can take a 3 hour course at the resort that costs $140. The only other thing that you may need is a wetsuit, which is not required, but can be rented for only $10. Aside from that, everything is included for unforgettable scuba diving adventures.
What is the best Sandals Resort for scuba diving?
All Sandals resorts offer world-class diving excursions, but the locations that top my list for best diving spots include Sandals Ochi, Sandals Royal Barbados, Sandals Grenada, Sandals Royal Bahamian, and Sandals Grande St. Lucian. These islands are famous for vibrant sea life, colorful coral reef, and magical shipwrecks.
BEST SANDALS RESORTS
Our favorite all-inclusive resort brand.
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Sandals Grenada
Sandals Royal Barbados
Sandals Grande Antigua
