For those who love diving, there’s nothing better than a resort that caters to exploring the water’s depths. These are the best luxury dive resorts in the world that you need to experience.
The ocean is an amazing place. From the vast array of aquatic life to the beautiful reef formations scattered across the ocean floor, there’s no better paradise to explore than the one beneath the surface. For those passionate about diving and snorkeling, there are plenty of places in the world to visit, but nothing measures up to the experience provided by the top luxury dive resorts. These are the top scuba diving vacations worldwide.
Qamea Resort and Spa – Visit the Rainbow Reef
Fiji is a beloved island destination known for its beautiful beaches and clear blue waters, making it the perfect spot for a dive vacation. At Qamea Resort and Spa, visitors have the chance to see one of the world’s most stunning reefs up close and personal.
This intimate hotel can host a maximum of 34 adult visitors across its 17 beachfront cabins. Located just steps from the water, Qamea Resort and Spa is nestled within 100 acres of lush grass, jagged volcanic rock, and white sand.
Each cabin, known as a bure, is complete with the best in amenities, including a large and comfortable bed, a private patio, fans and air conditioning, and open-air garden showers. Rooms are finished with mahogany hardwood floors and feature numerous examples of Fijian art to add an authentic feel to every thatched hut. The on-site restaurant specializes in Fijian Pacific Rim cuisine while the award-winning spa boasts a menu of jungle-inspired body and facial therapies.
For those who want to explore the coastal waters and the nearby Rainbow Reef, there are plenty of options. Guests can take advantage of kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkeling, and, for an extra charge, scuba diving excursions. Guests also have the option of booking charters and tours to learn more about the island and its marine offerings. Those who want a break from the water can enjoy numerous other activities offered during a stay, including walks along beach paths, a game of croquet, a visit to the gym, or a game of volleyball.
Jade Mountain – Enjoy the best views in St. Lucia
Located in the West Indies in the Caribbean, this small sovereign island country hosts gorgeous views and warm weather. For those who are passionate about seeing the sights under the ocean’s surface, St. Lucia is a wonderful place to do so, boasting world-class snorkeling and diving opportunities off the island’s coast. Visitors who would like to make diving a central feature of their next trip will find nowhere better than Jade Mountain.
Set across 600 acres and featuring 29 sanctuaries, this hotel is an ideal place to get away from it all and is considered one of the best beach resorts around the world. Each suite contains a living area, bedroom, and a private infinity pool, creating a personal oasis to enjoy during your stay.
The architecture is a blend of classic island style and modern lines, creating a beautiful and natural appearance that will appeal to locals and visitors alike. The on-site Jade Mountain Club restaurant only caters to hotel guests and is led by James Beard award-winning Chef Allen Susser. Guests can also enjoy drinks at the Celestial Terrace. Spa services can be booked at the Caribbean-inspired spa and boutique fitness center, Kai en Ciel, or in-room for a more private experience.
While the amenities and local offerings are lovely, nothing compares to the aquatic experiences available at Jade Mountain. Guests can stroll along two sprawling sandy beaches, view the coral reefs up close and personal through scuba diving or snorkeling excursions, take a kayak out on the water, or book a sailing tour of area waters. Bike rentals, yoga, fitness classes, and daily walks and hikes are also available.
Misool Eco Resort – Support the preservation of local marine life
If eco-friendly measures matter to you, a stay at Misool Eco Resort in Raja Ampat, Indonesia can help you enjoy a wonderful vacation while minimizing your impact on the seas and oceans surrounding Southeast Asia. As a private island located within a Marine Protected Area, this stunning establishment is one of the better luxury dive resorts and offers some of the world’s best scuba diving within an 18,000 square foot shark and manta ray sanctuary.
Guests at Misool Eco Resort can enjoy the hotel’s impressive ratio of one staff member to four guests, providing easy access to anything necessary for a comfortable stay. With accommodations for only 40 people, you can enjoy a nearly private experience with every visit. Visitors can choose between eight Water Cottages set on stilts within the ocean or one of seven South Beach Villas with views of a clear blue swimming hole. Each luxury suite is adorned with local art and features hardwood floors, open-air bathrooms decorated in a Balinese style, hot and cold showers, and a minibar stocked with local treats.
Guests staying at the resort can enjoy a stunning dive experience, either at the Dive Centre at the edge of the jetty, or directly from Water Cottage rooms. From there, the house reef is easily accessible, providing a way to experience countless forms of aquatic wildlife. For those who prefer snorkeling, this is also an option, as the resort offers the chance to spot blacktip reef sharks, horse-eyed jacks, octopi, humphead parrotfish, and green turtles.
Snorkeling is available within the house reef as well as the North Lagoon.
After a long day in the water, visitors can enjoy a massage at the on-site spa or dinner at the delectable farm-to-table Misool restaurant. As the restaurant is operated by Muslim chefs and owners, pork is not available. Additionally, reef prawns and fish are not served due to unsustainable fishing practices within the reef.
andBeyond Mnemba Island – Tanzania’s best dive hotel
One of the most beautiful countries in East Africa, Tanzania’s culture and its location make it a top priority for visitors from around the world. For those who want to experience this rich cultural landscape while studying the ocean floor, andBeyond Mnemba Island provides an experience unlike any other.
A private island off the coast, this stunning resort offers a personal and private experience for those lucky enough to visit. The remote nature of the island is evident just by the trip – even getting to the island requires flying into Tanzania, another flight to the island of Zanzibar, a drive across the island, and then a two-hour ferry ride to Mnemba Island.
The hotel can host only 24 guests in 12 beachside bandas, providing an isolated destination for those who truly want to get away. Each villa is rustic and minimalistic without sacrificing luxury comforts. Guests can relax on their attached patios, sit in the sun on a private beachfront, enjoy a stone-walled rainfall shower, or simply relax on a bed of Egyptian cotton sheets.
When not lounging on the beach, there are plenty of options for local exploration. Guests can go snorkeling, scuba diving, and even book a personal safari adventure, making this island resort one of the most diverse options for adventure available anywhere in the world. Dining is also available on-site, offering an inclusive experience to guests staying at the hotel.
Lizard Island – Explore Australia’s greatest underwater treasure
The Great Barrier Reef is considered one of the world’s most amazing aquatic destinations, spanning more than 1,400 miles along the east coast of Australia. While the reef is breathtakingly beautiful, not every area of the diverse structure is the same. Staying at Lizard Island off the Queensland coast can give you views of some of the reef’s most vibrant coral and wildlife selections.
Lizard Island is comprised of just 40 suites and villas in a 2,500 square acre national park, with snorkeling and diving located directly from the beach. Rooms are spacious and airy with comfortable amenities, like air conditioning, private patios, minibars, and spacious bathrooms. Rooms vary in size and price, providing a little something for everyone. Dining at the resort is spectacular, from the Salt Water Restaurant with panoramic ocean views to the Driftwood Bar for happy hour. Guests can also enjoy the Marlin Bar with its retro decor or plan for a private picnic with a customized basket.
In addition to its close proximity to one of the most beautiful reefs in the world, Lizard Island is also next to Cod Hole, one of Australia’s most well-known diving spots. Those who explore here will come face to face with potato cod, an extremely large friendly fish. Guests staying at the resort can also enjoy fishing, massages, facials and scrubs at the spa, boat tours, nature walks, glass-bottom sea kayaks, and paddleboarding.
Kia Ora Resort & Spa – Get away from daily life in the Pacific
When you want a completely remote experience, a stay at Kia Ora Resort & Spa on the atoll of Rangiroa in French Polynesia will fit the bill. Approximately 350 miles from Tahiti and all other civilization, this island is the perfect way to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The resort is surrounded by a coconut plantation and set on the shores of a sandy beach, providing a beautiful way to experience bliss in a tropical setting.
Kia Ora Resort & Spa is made up of 60 villas and bungalows scattered across the beach and surrounded by crystal clear water and large arching palm trees. For those willing to pay more, there’s also the option to rent out Le Sauvage, the resort’s private island, which boasts accommodations for up to 10. All suites come with large beds, spacious bathrooms with luxury showers, and a private Jacuzzi. The larger garden villas also come with a fenced-in yard and plunge pool. On-site restaurant Te Rairoa dishes up French favorites in a high-end setting while the Miki Miki Bar bar next door serves custom cocktails with a location over the lagoon.
This hotel is known for its diving and snorkeling opportunities, allowing guests a way to see the beautiful water landscapes like never before. Guests have several options for water excursions, including exploration in the blue lagoon, on Reef Island, or on Pink Sand Beach. While swimming in the warm waters, visitors will have the opportunity to see tropical fish, sharks, dolphins, and manta rays in their natural habitats.
Crusoe Island Lodge – See South America like never before
Many dive resorts are located in the Caribbean or in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Asia, but this stunning destination is on the shores of one of South America’s southernmost countries. Crusoe Island Lodge is one of the best spots in Chile for diving.
An eco-friendly destination designed for adventurers, this one-of-a-kind resort is located around 400 miles from Santiago off the coast of Chile on the volcanic island of Robinson Crusoe. Home to less than 1,000 residents, this gorgeous oasis showcases countless species of flora, fauna, and birdlife. The lodge itself contains only 15 rooms, making it the perfect choice for a secluded getaway. Rooms are set up for guests to truly escape from modern life and are outfitted for adventure, with amenities like snorkeling gear and trekking poles.
The private terraces accompanying each room face the waters of Pangal Bay, giving each guest a stunning view.
When not relaxing in the stone, wicker, and wood decor of the lounge, guests can become one with nature with hiking, boating, fishing, snorkeling, and diving trips. After taking trips through the wilderness, visitors can dine at LA BRECA Restaurant next door for fresh seafood and custom cocktails or visit the on-site spa for massages or a trip to the eucalyptus and cypress-scented sauna.
Diving is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the aquatic world, and these luxury dive resorts can make any scuba lover’s dreams come true. From the warm waters of the Caribbean to the shores of Australia, these hotels can improve any vacation. Book a reliable Blacklane car service to start your next dive trip in luxury.
