Caribbean Vacation Guides & Ideas

Travelers will be able to find every possible type of rental in the Caribbean. Small, serene cottages on the beach are just as common in the Caribbean as large villas that can accommodate families. Some travelers find it helpful to narrow down vacation rentals by having a wish list of amenities. Do you want a soaking tub in the master bathroom or a roof deck with great views? An outdoor shower or a private pool with the kids? If you know what you want, it will be easier to narrow down the choices.

Also remember that while the Caribbean is next door, you are still traveling internationally. Be sure to read the fine print and be absolutely sure a rental has everything you require. Don’t assume a rental will have laundry facilities or all the kitchen equipment you would be used to at home, so double check to make sure.

No matter what vacation rental you choose, it will offer comfort and convenience you just won’t find at a hotel. The ultimate way to kick back and relax in the Caribbean is with your own private space where the pleasures of the beach are a few steps from your door.

The Caribbean is a renowned destination for honeymooners and other visitors looking for the best tropical paradise vacation in the world. With the gorgeous palm trees, dazzling white sand, crystal-clear blue waters and spectacular coral reefs, it is indeed a prime area for diving. Water temperatures remain around 80 degrees year round, and visibility generally reaches 100 feet or farther. If you are planning a trip to the Caribbean, you will want to consider visiting one of these top six thrilling diving sites.

1. The Elbow, Belize
If you're an advanced diver and looking to explore the seabed in great depths, The Elbow, located on Turneffe Island, is one of the best diving locations to visit. Currents tend to be strong, but that doesn't stop divers from swimming down 60 feet to view the extravagant coral formations and marine life. Many visitors have spotted a variety of large fish and sharks in the area, but the most amazing spectacle is a school of eagle rays that occasionally passes by.

2. Wreck of the Antilla, Aruba
One of the notoriously large World War 2 underwater wreckage sites in the area can be found here. Although it is dangerous to actually enter the immersed wreckage, your visit at the Wreck of Antilla will be quite unforgettable. The visible waters make viewing the wreckage easy, and there are plenty of marine animals to be found. With new species to see every time you visit, you may find an angelfish and a butterfly fish lurking in the cracks of the brain or star coral or perhaps, a beaugregory making a home in the fire coral.

3. Santa Rosa Wall, Cozumel
With calm to strong currents, Santa Rosa Wall, a diving site located on the island of Cozumel near Mexico, is great for both beginners and advanced divers. Depths begin at 50 feet and eventually drop off as far as the eye can see, and in waters this cloudless, that is a significant distance. This wall is abounding in colorful coral and sponges and is home to many fascinating fish including the whiskered Splendid Toadfish, a unique creature found nowhere else on Earth. Investigate the coral to find more interesting critters or make your way into the caves and tunnels that are found within the wall.

4. Ocean Blue Hole, Bahamas
Located on the Androse Island in the Bahamas, Ocean Blue Hole is exactly what it sounds like. It is literally a blue hole that can be found in the ocean providing a cavern that divers can't help but inspect. Aside from simply being a hole, there is much more to find here. Unique tunnels are incredible places to explore, and Ocean Blue Hole is home to a variety of marine life from exotic fish to intricate coral designs.

5. Bloody Bay Way, Cayman Islands
Visibility at this fantastic location ranges from 150 to 200 feet, and ledges on this wall start at 20 feet and continue down for about a mile. Lined with caves and cracks, the plethora of astonishing fish and sea animal species along with brilliant coral is a panorama unlike any other. Common aquatic animals in this area include the big-lipped Nassau Grouper and magnificent sea turtles.

6. Salt Pier, Bonaire
This site is popular because of the ease of access. With reefs beginning just offshore and drop offs following soon after, you can easily find your way to Salt Pier and enjoy the abundance of small sea creatures. Seahorses and frogfish that wander the reef and the water clarity make this location a fantastic place for underwater pictures.