Family scuba diving vacations in the Caribbean

Let’s face it, your family isn't going to thank you for jetting off on a dedicated dive trip to the Caribbean and leaving them behind. And yet, you’d miss out if you spent your entire vacation without enjoying a single dive! Thankfully, the Caribbean is perfect for a family-friendly dive vacation, meaning you can easily combine the two.

We’ve done the research for you and put together a list of recommended family-friendly dive resorts in the Caribbean - the perfect fit for your family vacation.

The Reef Playacar is situated on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, overlooking the island of Cozumel. Balancing five-star luxury with family-friendly fun, this phenomenal property guarantees the getaway of a lifetime. Guests of all ages will enjoy this resort’s expansive pool complex, white sand beach, and numerous dining options, while children aged four through 12 can take advantage of everyday activities and events offered through the resort's kids club. With an onsite PADI 5-Star dive operation, The Reef Playacar is also perfectly positioned and outfitted for scuba diving the world-class local sites – including plummeting walls, baited bull shark dives, and underground exploration in the cenotes.

Sandyport Beach Resort is a colourful waterfront retreat located on the north coast of Nassau. Featuring less than a hundred guest rooms, this property prioritises pockets of natural vegetation throughout, making it perfect for guests who value privacy, peace, and plenty of outdoor adventure. Sandyport Beach Resort also comes well-prepared to welcome families, offering special facilities, menus, and supervised experiences just for kids, as well as babysitting services with advanced notice. When it comes to diving, Sandyport harnesses the expert knowledge of partner dive centre, Stuart Cove's, which is consistently rated as one of the Bahamas’ best operators – ensuring all guests can enjoy exceptional underwater experiences.

Compass Point is a diver-focussed resort located on the secluded east coast of Grand Cayman. This is easily one of the island’s most laid-back getaways, combining just 28 self-catering accommodations with onsite options for drinking and dining, shopping, and sports. And, while it doesn’t have a kids club, Compass Point’s swimming pool, beach and dock provide hours of fun for young guests. A comprehensive kids menu is also offered and the staff will happily organise babysitting through an outside provider. Children aged 10 and above can also join in on scuba diving activities with Compass Point’s partner dive centre, Ocean Frontiers – which boasts some of Grand Cayman’s best diving right at its doorstep.

Ocean El Faro is situated in a secluded position on the shores of Uvero Alto, on the east coast of Dominican Republic. Combining family-friendly facilities with adults-only areas, this all-inclusive resort appeals to guests of all kinds, providing an impressive selection of high-end amenities – including 10 restaurants and 13 bars. Along with a private beach, guests at Ocean El Faro have access to several swimming pools, a lazy river, and a small, family-orientated water park. Other active pastimes include tennis, bowling, and scuba diving with the onsite PADI dive centre run by Pro Dive International. Guests at Ocean El Faro can also access the surfing of Playa Macao.

Ports of Call Resort is a tranquil oasis in the heart of Grace Bay, placing guests within walking distance of vibrant nightlife, extensive shopping, and an award-winning beach. The resort’s family-friendly facilities include activities like billiards and table tennis, a free all-day beach shuttle, and special pools and playgrounds set aside just for kids. Ports of Call Resort is also home to the island's best-reviewed ice cream parlour and childcare is easy to arrange should parents feel like some alone time. What’s more, the resort’s partner dive centre, Dive Provo, is on hand to help guests explore the waters around Providenciales, as well as the Sandbore Channel, West Caicos, and French Cay.

Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort is a scenic, eco-conscious escape on the east coast of Sint Eustatius. This charming resort strives to be one of the most picturesque properties in the Caribbean, boasting an expansive 40-acre garden dissected by marble pathways. Within these grounds, guests will find two contrasting swimming pools, an ocean-fed lagoon, and a wide selection of additional sports facilities. Even the youngest guests have plenty of opportunity to let off some steam, thanks to a large outdoor children’s play area. An onsite dive centre, Statia Divers, also offers access to numerous sites throughout Sint Eustatius’ marine park, as well as safe tuition in the lagoon pool.

Park Hyatt is a luxury resort situated in Banana Bay on the secluded southern coast of St. Kitts, overlooking the island of Nevis. Boasting an exciting selection of exclusive facilities, this resort is as indulgent as they come, yet still manages to appeal to fun-loving families with an array of scheduled activities, exciting excursions, non-motorised watersports, and a child-friendly lagoon pool. Guests can even take their adventure below the waves alongside trusted local operators. Plus, Park Hyatt can also organise babysitting and offers a complimentary kids club designed to entertain children with outdoor pastimes, storytelling, arts and crafts.

Windjammer Landing is an all-inclusive resort located in Labrelotte Bay on St Lucia’s northeast coast, just a few kilometres south of the renowned Rodney Bay. Perfect for luxury-loving guests, this exclusive resort features sparkling swimming pools, delectable dining experiences, sumptuous wellness services, and a world-class watersports facility. Kids and teenagers can also take part in countless specially-curated experiences, including pizza parties, coconut bowling, dance lessons, and more. When it comes to diving, Windjammer Landing plays host to an onsite PADI 5-Star dive centre run by Eastern Caribbean Diving, ensuring any and every underwater request can be fulfilled.

Fort Young Hotel is an exceptional oceanfront property set amongst the remains of an 18th century fort in Dominica’s capital city of Roseau. This four-star heritage hotel is guaranteed to impress guests of all ages, offering a variety of facilities to keep the whole family occupied. Onsite entertainment includes an infinity pool, an oversized chess board, ping pong table, and video consoles – not to mention some of the island’s most comprehensive scuba diving facilities – along with non-motorised watersports and whale watching safaris. The resort’s signature “island-included” all-inclusive package also makes it easy to embrace a plethora of other activities throughout Dominica.

Hamlet Oasis is a relaxing resort located on the west coast of Bonaire, within easy reach of local restaurants and shops. Featuring 24 self-catering cottages – and plenty of parking space for cars, scooters and bikes – this charming resort provides the perfect base for independent exploration. That said, the property also comes equipped with an inviting chlorine-free swimming pool for those who simply want to relax. Hamlet Oasis’ partner PADI 5-Star dive centre, Dive Friends Bonaire, is located beside the water and offers an award-winning selection of facilities. Younger guests can also join in the fun thanks to a daily snorkel school for kids between eight and 12 years of age.